(Published in the Nigerian Tribune on Monday, 5 December, 2022) “Olagunju, let me know when you want to sell your car because I know you will need money very soon.” I got that text message the day I left government suddenly in November 2010. The sender hid his identity but I could guess the ‘friendly’…
Peter Obi and his Enemies
(Published in the Nigerian Tribune on Monday, 17 October, 2022) Peter Obi’s enemies are very clever and audacious. They are determined to ruin him and the promise of his movement. Imagine, they appointed for him a certain Mr. John Ezeigbe Ughulu as his campaign coordinator for Lagos State. Lagos is a Yoruba state in the…
The North’s Tadpoles and Deborah Yakubu
(Published in the Nigerian Tribune on Monday, 16 May, 2022) A Sokoto mob on Saturday violently protested against justice for Deborah Yakubu who was murdered by her schoolmates in broad daylight. They wanted her suspected killers released without trial. The mob thought the state did not owe the murdered that duty of care, even in…
2023: Remembering Obafemi Awolowo
(Published in the Nigerian Tribune on Monday, 9 May, 2022) Today is the 35th anniversary of the transition of the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. A sage is “a profoundly wise person; a person famed for wisdom.” A sage is also he that is “venerated for the possession of wisdom, possession of judgment and of experience.”…
APC’s 2023 Dark Horse
(Published in the Nigerian Tribune on Monday, 2 May, 2022) So, who is the favourite? First, they said Goodluck Jonathan was the chosen one. Indeed, his boys and girls were already sharing the 2023-2027 posts and spoils. Now, I ask, is he still the one that is coming? No one appears sure again as they…
2023, Chibok and Kaduna
(Published in the Nigerian Tribune on Monday, 11 April, 2022) Are we being ruled by coincidences or by conspiracies? There was a British passenger liner, the Royal Mail Ship (RMS) Titanic. It was a ship of luxury boasts that was built to sail forever; but it sank in the night of 14-15 April, 1912 during…
Obiano’s Sin and Bianca’s Dirty Slap
(Published in the Nigerian Tribune on Monday, 21 March, 2022) With women, there is never an end to a war- any war in which their core interest is involved. When they win, they sip choice wines with the skull of the enemy. When they lose, they, in bitterness, weep, withdraw and go underground to continue…
Umahi and The Wages of Harlotry
(Published in the Nigerian Tribune on Monday 14 March, 2022) “Thieves of a feather” is the title of a piece written by American journalist, Emily Sohn in the December 19, 2007 edition of ScienceNewsforStudents. Great writings advertise themselves first with great titles. You were probably suckled in a cliched world where birds of a feather…
Ukraine’s tears and Nigerian victims
(Published in the Nigerian Tribune on Monday, 7 March, 2022) Ken Saro Wiwa’s Soza boy (soldier boy) looks around. He sees inside one pit, the head of a soldier, and in another pit, the leg of a soldier. Everywhere he turns, he sees “so so human flesh in small pieces! Finger, nail, hair, prick, blockus…”…
APC’s Kabiyesi Politics
(Published in the Nigerian Tribune on Monday, 28 February, 2022) Kabiyesi means ‘we dare not question him.’ The nearest to its meaning is what my Hausa friend does with effusive ‘Ranka dede’ at the feet of his lord. The above headline should actually be ‘Nigeria’s Kabiyesi politics.’ That is what the Nigerian president plays. He…