It’s a very beautiful afternoon, and I’ve just had an extremely sumptuous lunch at the expansive dining hall of the newly-commissioned Qatar National Convention Centre. Besides the aesthetics of this gorgeous architectural masterpiece, I’m bowled over by the professionalism and courtesy of the staff here; everywhere I turn, someone is making a slight bow to say hello. At lunch, the… Read More »Heartbeat of the African Diaspora
In this podcast, I joined the BBC World Service to discuss the State of Emergency imposed by Nigeria’s president, Goodluck Jonathan, in three northern states of the country, after weeks of violence. In the conversation, I reflected on the different times in which a similar state of emergency had been declared in the country, and how these hardly helped to… Read More »BBC Newsday – 15 May 2013
Has anyone ever attempted to paint a picture of a hardworking, determined global change-maker, without preconceived biases? We all have. Barring any sophisticated scientific postulations, our ideal change maker has the stern face of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., the intimidating physique of Michael Jordan, the booming voice of Barack Obama, the overall clout of Nelson Mandela, the soaring networks… Read More »The Power of ONE: Fred Swaniker’s Audacious Mission to Transform Africa
What on earth were you thinking? I really don’t know. It was a mistake. I wasn’t thinking clearly. I’m sorry. You’re sorry? You’re sorry? How did you expect to get away with this? I really don’t know. This wasn’t something I planned. It just happened. I swear, it was not premeditated. I’ve never done anything like this before. This is… Read More »What Was I Thinking?
It’s 10:25pm in New York from where I took off; it’s 7:25am in Dubai, my next stop; and 5:25am in Johannesburg, my final destination. Ten hours and 45 minutes ago, I took off just as I have taken off every other week over the last couple of weeks, and almost every month over the last two years. Today I’m perched… Read More »Community of the Skies
There are two young Nigerians whom other young Nigerians love to hate – Reno Omokri and Ohimai Godwin Amaize. There are several reasons why they are hated, but among the top reasons are their perceived excessive vocalizations of the Jonathan administration’s agenda, their insistence that young Nigerians should not be satisfied with ‘Twitter activism’ but should challenge government in the… Read More »Is Ohimai Crazy?
I first met George Egbuchulam at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria sometime in 2007. He was very tall, gangling really, and seemed to tower above everyone else. George studied in the Faculty of Arts, and at times it was difficult to know what program he really studied because he often came across as a genius of all the Arts. I… Read More »Sadly, we didn’t #SAVEGEORGE
Politics in Nigeria is extremely screwed up, but that is not exactly headline news. For several decades, Nigerians have mourned, bemoaned and agonized over the kind of politicians they have been cursed with. Some argue that a people deserve the kinds of leaders they get, but Nigerians are yet to be convinced that what they have received is really what… Read More »Whipping Governors, Phony Pilots and Private Jets
Now that Governor Babtunde Fashola has concluded that the next phase of the ‘remodelling Lagos project’ is the eradication of commercial motorcycles from the streets of Lagos, the debate about whether he actually is a hero or villain inevitably resurfaces. In all honesty, no one doubts that at the core of his being, Fashola means well for the generality of… Read More »If Not For ‘Okada’
Be careful, dear innocent, humble, hardworking, conscientious gentleman. Be very careful of the help you offer and eventually render to that fragile, heartbroken young lady. Think carefully before offering your strong shoulder for her sobbing eyes and weary head. Think very carefully about the words of advice you give to help re-mould her shattered heart. Be afraid, for in the… Read More »Be Wary, Young Innocent Gentleman
I was barely five years old when I first encountered the Curse, or Corps or Corpse or whatever it is called these days. Little young boy that I was, I was fascinated by the very smart uniforms, head caps and yellow boots that hung in the corner of my dad’s rom (who knew that those dusty boots were called jungle… Read More »Intrigues of the Nigerian Youth Slavery Curse
I’ve never been a big fan of lawyers, though I’ve always maintained professional respect for the ‘learned ones’. That particular phrase, ‘learned ones’ is precisely the reason I retain a secret sense of disgust for lawyers. Even first-year law students are seen to wear an air of pride around them, sort of an irremovable halo that bestows special powers on… Read More »The Law is still an Ass