(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…
Kyari: Some tears for Nigeria Police
(Published in the Nigerian Tribune on Monday, 21 February, 2022) There was a man in London 300 years ago called Jonathan Wild. He lived at a time robbery and violent crimes were rampant in the city – day and night. The people were helpless and the police were largely absent. And because nature abhors a…
Nigeria’s Cowries of Blood
(Published ín the Nigerian Tribune on Monday, 14 February, 2022). Last Tuesday at the public presentation of my book, ‘Cowries of Blood’, a reporter asked me to crack the title. I smiled the question off. I hope my quizzer reads this and connects the silhouetted dots. It is not only about cows and forest boys…
Sanwo-Olu and The Pepper Girls
(Published in the Nigerian Tribune on Monday, 7 February, 2022) I experienced him for the first time as he was introduced as Imam Orimadegun. He was asked to preach at a Muslim burial service last Saturday in Osogbo, Osun State. He picked the microphone and announced that he was not going to preach about the…
2023: Miyetti Allah Wants Apology
(Published in the Nigerian Tribune on Monday, 31 January, 2022) How do you address a people who create a situation and then turn round to play the victim? The National President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Alhaji Bello Abdullahi Bodejo, talked tough in a Sun newspaper interview at the weekend. He said any southerner hoping…
2023: Some Proverbs for the North and Tinubu
(Published in the Nigerian Tribune on Monday, 17 January, 2022). The aged died, we replaced him with the chronically ill; who does not know that there will be wailing once more soon in the palace. (Arugbo ku a fi olokunrun j’oye; taa ni ko mo wipe ariwo k’eekan l’aafin). This Yoruba proverb covers the field…