Tag Archives: Nigeria

LETTER TO THE SON OF MAN- VOL.2 by Adeyemi Kolawole Adeojo Hannibal

Dear Son of Man,

 

Your response, which was succinct and aptly posited, dissects the hearts of men at its vainglorious and peripatetic best. I was effusively excited to read from you. I wonder why we cannot have on earth as it is in heaven, as the level of privations had made more people less concerned if they lived or died. They only trot along in daily routine of dashed expectations and forlorn hopes.

 

Just few weeks ago, the near fragile air of peace pervading the west coast of Africa was almost shattered when a country, sucked in by Senegal and whose only outlet to the world is the Atlantic Ocean, nearly dispelled the air of peace with a sit-tight, self-proclaimed leader biting more than he can chew. That vicious air of volatility was almost invited upon the hitherto, relatively peaceful region by Yahya Jammeh, who seized power as a gun-wielding , dare-devil, young officer in 1994, albeit, in a bloodless coup that usurped Dawda Jawara. In the usual characteristics of African leaders who came into power through the blazing Continue reading LETTER TO THE SON OF MAN- VOL.2 by Adeyemi Kolawole Adeojo Hannibal

LETTER FROM THE SON OF MAN by ‘Lakunle Jaiyesimi

Dear Hannibal,

To say I am quite perturbed by your aloofness in the years gone by is an understatement. So much has happened in that spate of time such that, without hearing from you, I have had to make do with what I am fed by the gagged press and pages that are desperate to break even or maintain their status of leadership in mainstream media. Whichever came in handy, the move away from investigative journalism throws up news that fall below the standard that edifies the audience. As a result, going beyond the “turmoil pervading the world in recent times” as you pointed out in your last letter, the blend of truths and untruths have done more to complicate the acquisition of knowledge from modern media and schools. Continue reading LETTER FROM THE SON OF MAN by ‘Lakunle Jaiyesimi

LETTER TO THE SON OF MAN by Adeyemi Adeojo Hannibal

Dear Son of Man,

I know you are quite perturbed by my aloofness in the past few years. This is not unconnected with the turmoil pervading the world in recent times. I must apologize for not keeping you up to date with world tidings. As the world turns, we oscillate between our local predicaments and the magnitude of effects of foreign wrangling. Henceforth, I promise to keep in touch more regularly than before. Continue reading LETTER TO THE SON OF MAN by Adeyemi Adeojo Hannibal

Islamization of Nigeria: The example of the Mexican Border Wall by ‘Lakunle Jaiyesimi

What the Mexican Wall does to a people on either side is what divisive words do. It is not more Mexican than it is of American since Mexicans did not initiate the idea for the wall and largely do not favour its construction. The newly inaugurated President of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump, did.

For convenience, let’s be content with the term flying in mainstream media, ‘Mexican Wall’ rather than the American Wall. It is a symbol that aims to herald the isolationist policies of the new government of USA. As if slamming the door in Mexico’s face was not enough, the latter has to pay for the construction of the wall, 100 percent. How, even though the Mexican government has said her sovereign self will pay for no such construction, while Trump insists they will? Continue reading Islamization of Nigeria: The example of the Mexican Border Wall by ‘Lakunle Jaiyesimi

Between leaders of Nigeria: Adeboye, Fayose and Omokri by ‘Lakunle Jaiyesimi

There is a generous gibberish being bandied about, emanating from Nigerian Wendell Simlin, I mean Reno Omokri, former Special Assistant to ex-President, Goodluck Jonathan on New Media. In his perfunctory or fanatical defense of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, and popularly supported by many commentators mostly subjectively, he came out as a child struggling to clutch at the last straw of courage that he could, in order to die, if he must, a martyr in the face of this modern antagonism against his faith. Common, wake up. Are you expecting some perverse fun in heaven?

I woke up to headlines that had variations of “Adeboye was forced Continue reading Between leaders of Nigeria: Adeboye, Fayose and Omokri by ‘Lakunle Jaiyesimi

Rejoinder: Obafemi Awolowo University, between Wumi Raji and Adediwura Alawode by ‘Kunle Jaiyesimi

oau-logo It is no longer news that Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria is in crisis, as reported by various platforms. Wumi Raji, an Associate Professor in the Department of Theatre Arts of the same University wrote that the University “is in deep crisis” and has a lot to say about it, http://thenewsnigeria.com.ng/2016/07/crisis-in-obafemi-awolowo-university-ile-ife/”.

On the 15th day of July, 2016, a hitherto Google-unknown character, in person of Adediwura Alawode, brilliantly wrote a rejoinder to Wumi Raji’s piece, http://thenewsnigeria.com.ng/2016/07/rejoinder-obafemi-awolowo-university-crisis-and-falsifiers-at-work/“. The choice of the tag “hitherto Google-unknown character” in describing Adediwura Alawode was a result of the fact that while Wumi Raji provided his full identity, including his department, designation and a bold picture in the piece he wrote, the rejoinder writer only went as far as stating at the end of his piece, “Adediwura Alawode writes from OAU”.

Inasmuch as no one is to immediately presume that the referenced OAU stands for Organisation of African Unity, Continue reading Rejoinder: Obafemi Awolowo University, between Wumi Raji and Adediwura Alawode by ‘Kunle Jaiyesimi

WS@82: “POLITICALLY CORRECT IDEAS VS. CULTURAL OPENNESS” by Kunle Jaiyesimi

wsssWS,

Your sundry hoary strands

Stand as beacons

To navigators

cruising from all seafronts

To the island of bliss, astuteness, scarred proficiencies

and maneuvers that beat fulfillment

without animosity, without lust

with the stoical

expression of tunes, that take flight

on the fins of watered units.

 

For the umpteenth time, controversies have trailed the appointments made by Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari, which have been adjudged lopsided. It has happened again and again, the most recent being the appointment of Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman as the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) along with three other appointments.

However, at all such time-points in the history of Nigeria, there have been Nigerians similarly against and in favour of the appointments on the altar of tribalism, on one hand and competence, on the other; with both parties churning out their petty or Continue reading WS@82: “POLITICALLY CORRECT IDEAS VS. CULTURAL OPENNESS” by Kunle Jaiyesimi

Right Versus Wrong by Pope Jay

“The Problem in Nigeria is not about the north versus the south, it’s not about Christianity versus Islam, it’s not about APC versus PDP. The Problem in Nigeria is Right versus Wrong”

Ben Murray-Bruce (2016)

rightWhen I first saw the theme of the Great Ife Writer essay contest 2016, “What is the Most Challenging Issue in Nigeria and how would you solve it?”, the well applauded words of the “Common Sense” advocate, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, at the Silverbird Man of The Year 2014 were what came to mind. Many friends have asked why I did not submit an entry for the contest and my major reason was that the topic, though greatly depending on objectivity, is too subjective to just write what any judge wants. Continue reading Right Versus Wrong by Pope Jay

Welcome to America; bye bye, Nigeria by ´Kunle Jaiyesimi

“Until you know how African you are,

you don’t know how American you are”

– Robert Farris Thompson

As a newbie in the nation of Samba, there was the expected need for mutual introductions. At that time, repeatedly so, owing to the fact that this is a non-English-speaking country, I found myself needing to come up with a name that will resonate with, is convenient for and easy to pronounce by my new acquaintances.

My choice was as easy as saying “hello” to the Brasileiros, which is a literal translation of the Portuguese “Ola” and a fitting subject to “Olakunle”, the first, intangible tag that I acquired as a being. In my more recent existence as “Ola”, I was always confronted by Continue reading Welcome to America; bye bye, Nigeria by ´Kunle Jaiyesimi

2 CHANGES: 2 COACHES, 2 COACHES and 2 DAYS – ‘Lakunle Jaiyesimi

coachesTwo eminent Nigerian coaches, Stephen Keshi and Shaibu Amodu, discovered and joined two different coaches on the train that journeyed to a different realm. The latter only allowed 2 days to pass before joining the former on this train.

Change is constant, so they say, maybe it’s the only constant thing in the life of these coaches, as well as in mine and yours. There are incidentally only two (in my reckoning) significant changes that take place throughout the life of man and these changes are somewhat akin to transmogrification. That is exactly what has happened to Stephen and Shaibu, or what they happened to. Continue reading 2 CHANGES: 2 COACHES, 2 COACHES and 2 DAYS – ‘Lakunle Jaiyesimi

JUNE 12 by Gloria Agboola

June 12 This day, indeed, appears calm but alas!, appearances deceive. 276 months after Democracy was grossly undermined by those familiar forces who are yet to reasonably justify the actions that forever mar this day, for good and bad, and perhaps never would, we are where we are.

As at now, our Nation keeps plunging into Economic sorrows, the depth of which cannot be correctly gauged until we are at the very bottom, yet, there is much beauty to be seen. We did it.

We finally have a firm grasp of a reality that evolved many centuries ago…Democracy “by the People, of the People and for the People”. Continue reading JUNE 12 by Gloria Agboola

Happy Birthday! When exactly is that? by ‘Lakunle Jaiyesimi

TimeeI really have never celebrated my birth date anniversary and I do not think I will start that ritual in contemporary terms. The reason, obviously (may be to me and a few others), is the ‘insignificance’ attached to such dates. What makes it more special than the other waking days? However, before I step on toes, let me appreciate everyone who has shown, and who will show, some great, heart-touching gestures towards me on this occasion that falls incidentally on the 24th of May, every year.

My wife quipped, “When do you actually make the turn of another year; Nigerian time or Continue reading Happy Birthday! When exactly is that? by ‘Lakunle Jaiyesimi

Racism in India: And “Yannick passed away…” by ‘Lakunle Jaiyesimi

“You’re standing at a zoo, and looking at a caged animal, admiring it, scrutinizing every aspect of it, observing its walk, its skin. Now imagine you’re that caged animal and people are gawking at you like you’re an alien, like you don’t belong. That is how black citizens of African nations say they feel in India, they aren’t caged but they might as well be.” – Sarakshi Rai.

Yannick before and afterA few days ago in Greater Noida, some Hausa boys were allegedly beaten up by an Indian mob, while the reverse was published in the media (that Indians were beaten up by the Hausa boys). Whereas, the reality was that an Indian boy, with rich but uneducated father, snapped pictures of a Hausa boy and was asked to delete same but would not budge. He called his father and that led to the Hausa boys being attacked. This event led to sabotage on public facilities that fed the Africans (including but not limited to the disruption of power supply); this, ultimately leading to the ejection of Africans, who had to resort to emergent searching for new shelter, with its attendant challenges.

Sometimes, it is a wonder what globalization, in the sense of globetrotting (let’s content ourselves with singly Continue reading Racism in India: And “Yannick passed away…” by ‘Lakunle Jaiyesimi

TIWA SAVAGE: I’M TIRED, YOU’RE NOT. I QUIT by ‘Lakunle Jaiyesimi

teebillzFirstword: Humankind can be split into two words, Human and Kind. Humankind on its own is synonymous with humanity, charity and kindness. I will be content with being insulated from being absolutely controlled by the media, invasive and non-invasive technology. Being kind constitutes radiation from self to others and not the other way around.

 

Tiwa, without being in a haste to pass the buck between you and your husband (who is obviously beside himself), there is a general apathy against our individual and collective humanity. In the abundance of religiousity, we are fast losing our spirituality (I hope this is not misconstrued, innocently or otherwise). And this has affected almost everyone one way or another. Most people, including this ‘penner’, see themselves as victims rather than agents of certain untoward events. Thus, it wa Continue reading TIWA SAVAGE: I’M TIRED, YOU’RE NOT. I QUIT by ‘Lakunle Jaiyesimi

SARAKI AND THE PANDORA OF STREET MUSIC by ‘Lakunle Jaiyesimi

image

For many years, until recently, I can conveniently say that I was largely selective with choice of music, as against my almost indiscriminate stance with food. However, on a certain recent day, the discovery of the strange pose of the corpse of the legendary music artist, Michael Jackson, in his casket constituted the needed stimulus for me to, even if momentarily, take an amateur plunge into the world of African American music.

It was a Pandora’s box. Like unsolicited pop-up windows, certain question marks popped up at my face. Why is it exclusive Continue reading SARAKI AND THE PANDORA OF STREET MUSIC by ‘Lakunle Jaiyesimi

Like Play, Like Joke: This state will change by ‘Lakunle Jaiyesimi

“E go land…e go land…na em butterfly dey take enter bush” is a direct translation of an expression of dynamism. In this piece, it is the dynamic nature of all human relationships and activities and how they influence our choices that constitute our concern.

Just recently, like play…like joke…, a well-known bald-headed friend of mine and I digressed into a heated argument from a general discussion about a Nigerian woman – Kemi Omololu Olunloyo, who many perceive as having a mental challenge and who has recently gone public with the claim that a popular Nigerian Pastor, Daddy G. O. (as Continue reading Like Play, Like Joke: This state will change by ‘Lakunle Jaiyesimi

Screwing Hardknots with a Smile