Sometime last week, the Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria visited the rarely remarked Otodo Gbame, a fishing settlement at the Lagos waterfronts. This foreign leader had gone there to assess what has become an emerging refugee crisis in the Otodo Gbame community and to offer them his encouragement. When we wonder why the West seems to … Continue reading
Once again, I am constrained to consider the University of Lagos and its increasingly intolerant attitude towards student rebellion. I have previously written on this in reference to the school’s high-handedness when it dealt with the aftermath of a student protest. I was–and still am–astonished by the degree of repression imposed by the university’s Senate. … Continue reading
Last week, the Central Bank of Nigeria confirmed what has been obvious to millions of us: that these are difficult times in Nigeria. To be clear, it is hard to say there was ever an easy time for Nigerians. Yes, there were times—particularly between the late 60s and early 80s—when an educated minority had it … Continue reading
Last week, the authorities of the University of Lagos agreed to reopen the school. The school had been closed for a while following a student protest over lack of water and electricity on the campus. The university authorities stipulated some conditions for resumption: students have to undertake and notarise a “Re-absorption Oath”; parents or guardians … Continue reading
“Surely, comrades, you do not want Jones back?” Once again this argument was unanswerable. Certainly the animals did not want Jones back; if the holding of debates on Sunday mornings was liable to bring him back, then the debates must stop. ― George Orwell, Animal Farm Last week, a presidential aide posted photos of the … Continue reading
Dear Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, GCFR, BNER, GCON, Congratulations on your successful exit from Aso Rock without the use of force or the tragedy of untimely death. In fifty-five years of Nigerian post-independence history, only Olusgeun Obasanjo and Abdulsalami Abubakar have been able to achieve this feat. But, before you handover, here’s a final farewell … Continue reading
A typically passionate Nigerian who wakes up this morning—or more likely stayed awake last night—to the news that the much anticipated February 14 elections have been postponed would likely get into a righteous kind of mad. This isn’t just about what party this individual supports or what candidate the individual desires to vote for; the … Continue reading
