Good to GREAT!

Statement from Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke in regards of Nigeria’s fuel subsidy removal

2012-01-16T16:38:00.001+01:00

Please find here the release by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison Madueke on the actions she has taken following the widespread protests that followed the fuel subsidy removal.

Bridging The Chasm Between The Government and The Governed

2012-01-10T10:46:00.000+01:00

Many brilliant essays have been written on the matter of Goodluck Jonathan’s abilities as President and the removal of the fuel subsidy; so many that all this while I have deemed it unnecessary to contribute ‘another’ one to the fray. However, for a number of reasons – one of which is posterity – I have decided to craft this. The Nigerian State is presently plagued by a number of evils – all

Of Christians, The Kingdom Economy, and Oil Subsidy Remova

2012-01-07T16:34:00.000+01:00

In many ways, this article flouts the motley collection of rules that usually guide my style of writing. It is unusual that I start a post from the middle, write the beginning, and then proceed to the end. However, I intend to do just that in this post. After all, writing is in art – which in my world translates to a field without clearly defined guiding principles. I start with the class

#OccupyNigeria in #Ife : Photonews

2012-01-06T20:34:00.002+01:00

The move to #occupyNigeria in Ile- #Ife started with a mass movement from the Modakeke market. Plans were initially to block the Ife-Ibadan expressway, and it was briefly considered to block the Ibadan-Akure expressway that leads on to Abuja so that the movement would have a widely noticeable effect. In the long run, it was decided to postpone plans to lockdown the expressway to next

My Thoughts On The Increments in LASU Fees

2011-12-16T06:37:00.001+01:00

As much as I am of the opinion that quality education costs a lot more than currently obtains in Nigeria, I must say that the LASU model is idealistic - so idealistic that it may be termed 'insane'.Quality education is the only way to truly transform Nigeria over the long run, and it needs to be made as affordable as possible so that we can reach a wider base of people... Think Awo and free

Theatre of The Absurd VII: Of Homosexuals, Corruption, and Misdirected Energies

2011-12-10T08:50:00.001+01:00

I am not homosexual. This is not a moral thing, or a 'Christian' thing. Maybe research would put it down to my environment and upbringing, but it just does not feel right - and in my world, that makes it wrong. However, I have also learnt never to project my value system upon someone else. The way I see it, it is none of my business what two adults choose to do with themselves - so long as

Habitual Thought and Greatness

2011-11-19T07:07:00.000+01:00

Yesterday, I was at yet another training seminar where the facilitator spoke about "your background not having a right to put your back on the ground". I have often refrained from joining discussions centered around this statement, for the simple reason that I try to avoid cliches. I do not like to dwell on, or even use, words or statements that have been used so frequently that they seem to

G2G: Empathy

2011-10-04T11:33:00.001+01:00

This morning, I was brought face to face with a reality that I often pay lip-service to, but which has not managed to sink into my heart yet... Over the course of my short stay on earth, I have found that it is especially easy for humans to be very self-centered... Even when we try to get things from others, we seldom consider what they have to gain (or lose) by granting our desires - and focus

For The Love of Nigeria

2011-10-01T15:15:00.003+01:00

This is the second year running that I find it impossible to write an Independence Day post... Sadly (although I'm not exactly sad), I find that I have to resort to the post I wrote back in 2009, when we were 'nacking' 49... Please find the post here... Remember to share your thoughts. KOYE-LADELE Mogbekeloluwa, +2348062543654, koyegbeke@gmail.com

Draft Letter on #N30billion #ResourceRape

2011-09-29T00:27:00.002+01:00

Heard about the approval of N30billion for a fresh biometric registration exercise? Well, if you're outraged - follow the link and read Gbenga Sesan's letter to the Honorable Minister of Information and Communication... Then copy and shoot to your Ministers, NASS representatives, etc... Let's take the bull by the horn people... "Mr. Labaran Maku Honourable Minister Federal Ministry of

Theatre of The Absurd VI: Of Bomb Blasts, Policemen and Presidents

2011-08-26T18:29:00.001+01:00

I just saw a picture of one of the victims of the bomb blast at the UN office in Abuja. It's gory (too gory to share here)! To think that the man was somebody's father / husband... :( My thoughts are in no way coherent (and this is in no way a comprehensive post), but I feel a need to put them down for a review sometimes later, and I guess you'd like to share in 'em too... 1. Our Police '

Nigerian Education: As Things Fall Apart...

2011-08-17T20:50:00.001+01:00

It has been about two weeks now since the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board reduced the UTME cutoff score for University admission to 180. To put it mildly at best, that is disheartening. It is sad that JAMB has chosen to institutionalize mediocrity at such a time as this, rather than hold on to a semblance of educational excellence by maintaining the average score of 200. Time and

Does Nigeria Really Need The NDLEA?

2011-08-12T20:46:00.001+01:00

The NDLEA does a GREAT job, no doubt about that... However, I have some questions - one question, really... On my way from Ife to Ibadan, I got stopped by NDLEA officers who conducted a superficial search of the vehicle - presumably looking for 'drugs'... As they conducted their search, I began to wonder what exactly is so special about drugs that Babangida had to create an agency separate

Some Advice To a Young Graduate

2011-08-11T07:39:00.003+01:00

It has been quite a while since I was here... :( I've been pretty busy, writing exams and all... Now, they've come and gone and I can breathe a sigh of relief and look forward to blogging with a little more consistency... Y' know, there's this article by Mary Schmidt that is one of my all time favorites... It's an all-time classic, I guess, and I'd like to share it - who knows what someone

Istoria: A Yahoo Boy And His Murano (Part Two)

2011-06-13T16:16:00.003+01:00

I did not see him for another FOUR days. When he showed up, he was wearing a new shirt, and Converse shoes. For him, that was unusual. He never bought clothes, preferring instead to send the money home. I pulled him into my room, locked the door – reopened it, and asked him where he had been all this while. He suddenly beamed from ear to ear, and for an instant I thought he had won the Golden

Istoria: A Yahoo Boy And His Murano

2011-06-13T16:14:00.005+01:00

I met him on my first day as an undergraduate at the Obafemi Awolowo University. It was a Sunday, and my parents had just dropped me off. He walked up to me, and offered to carry my box to my room if I would buy him dinner. That sounded odd. I immediately assumed he was not a student. After all, which student would offer to carry a freshman's box for dinner? Dinner!!! Well, I would have bought

Theatre of The Absurd V: Violence, The North and The NYSC

2011-04-20T14:17:00.005+01:00

Please click here to read... :D

A Dance With Death II: The Human Side to A Nigerian Policeman

2011-04-08T21:31:00.000+01:00

On my way home today, I came across two men of the Nigerian Mobile Police.They looked haggard, dressed in loosely fitting police uniforms. One glance, and you could tell those uniforms had not been washed in quite some time. It was plain that they were tired, both their guns hanging at awkward angles – seeming more a burden than an instrument of their occupation.It was a hot afternoon, and the

Theatre of The Absurd IV : INEC Goofed!

2011-04-04T08:39:00.001+01:00

Yesterday, I received with much disappointment the news of the initial postponement of the NASS elections till Monday 4th April. One thing was immediately obvious - Monday would not be feasible. Trying to conduct the elections on Monday would create a logistical logjam which would make the late delivery of result sheets on Saturday look like child's play by comparison. Also, it would raise

Nigerian Christendom: A Misguided Sense of Neutrality

2011-03-27T20:22:00.000+01:00

About a year ago, I wrote the following post out of mild annoyance at the perceived apathy of the church towards happenings in the Nigerian polity. I would love to take a trip down ‘memory lane’, even as I work on a new incarnation of this post.Ehm, obviously, my writing has improved a lot between then and now. I feel I should allow it flow the way I conveyed it back then, so I have chosen not to

A Love Rekindled

2011-03-24T18:30:00.001+01:00

I wish I could start this by saying that I just finished reading the pre-release copy of ‘A Love Rekindled’ – Myne Whitman’s new book – and then go on to write a beautiful review. However, I cannot – so I’ll just have to make an assertion based on my journey into the depths of ‘A Heart to Mend’ and trust the judgement of Lara Daniels and Folake Taylor – while I eagerly await my own copy of ‘A

A Dance With Death I

2011-03-21T22:27:00.004+01:00

I met the most interesting guy today.His name is Jimoh, and he was released from a local Mental Home only three weeks ago. He is fidgety - habitually shifting his weight from one leg to another while standing, and he seems incapable of looking straight into anyone's eyes. He has not had a bath in two days, as he only has the chance to use a bathroom when he visits his mother every Saturday

Theatre of the Absurd III

2011-03-17T11:30:00.007+01:00

National Anthems are formal songs honouring the spirit of a country. In this regard, the Nigerian National Anthem is no exception. Carefully worded with lyrics meant to elicit strong feelings of patriotism and serve as prayers for continued growth and unity, the Nigerian National Anthem has been taught to the nation since 1978. It is safe to state that it is practically impossible to pledge

School Closure: A Tool To Be Used With The Greatest Of Caution

2011-03-15T20:48:00.003+01:00

(Tiwanijesu... Read through the post to find out who she is)Her first daughter's name is Fatimoh, which makes her 'Iya Fatimoh' in Yoruba parlance. She sells akara under the Students Union Building at the Obafemi Awolowo University. She does not make much profit on a daily basis, but it is enough to put food on the table for her family of three – herself and two children – she is a widow. If you

Convocation, Greatness: Random Thoughts

2011-03-12T01:04:00.005+01:00

(This is me, and MBFF - Eno-Mfon Efiong. You can read my 'tribute' to her (on her graduating and 'leaving' me behind) here). Wow.It has been a great day, albeit a stressful one.Today, for the first time since gaining admission into the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria in November 2006 – I participated in a Convocation Ceremony. Beyond the usual 'begging-for-rice' thing that is

Great Ife: A Time for Sober Reflection...

2011-02-24T02:07:00.002+01:00

The best time to plant a tree was 25 years ago and the second best time is now. I wish I had made this a proper release, and that I had pasted it a few days ago. However, I did not then because I did not have access to the information that I have now – but I will not pass up the opportunity to do this now. Before I delve into the meat of this discussion, I want to make some things clear – and

Whiteberry Culture

2011-02-09T08:00:00.002+01:00

Class this session will be very different from what it has always been. A lot of reasons could justify this statement, such as that it is our last session and everybody wants to strive for the best possible grades or that my classmates are now more future-oriented – having just come back from IT. These reasons even have their own merit, but then – I make that statement with something else in

Theatre of the Absurd II

2010-11-26T15:07:00.004+01:00

Only a few minutes ago, the Federal High Court of Appeal sitting in Oyo State overturned the election of Olagunsoye Oyinlola as the Governor of Osun State, appointing Rauf Aregbesola of the ACN instead. Well, it is sad that this sort of decision is being made this late - almost at the end of Oyinlola's stolen second tenure as Governor. Seeing as this seems to have become the order of the day,

How I became afraid of the Nigerian Police Force (Part 2)

2010-11-11T23:24:00.003+01:00

"Wake up, my friend, and lock the door!" By this time, both my friends who were originally in the room were outside - looking morose. I was scared, and confused, because I did not know who those men were or where they were taking my friends. Worse, I could not even muster the courage to ask. One of the men who 'invaded' my room announced that he felt they should take me too, but the 'boss'

How I became afraid of the Nigerian Police Force (Part 1)

2010-11-10T22:46:00.003+01:00

I have a pathological and oftentimes debilitating fear of the Nigerian Police Force. (Please note that 'Force' has been officially removed from their name, but almost all the badges on the policemen I encounter still bear it). Every time I happen on one of the 'men in black' who are charged with 'protecting the nation' - particularly when they are armed - I go weak at the knees!I have my fair

Musings of an Afraid-To-Graduate Student

2010-11-07T22:36:00.003+01:00

For some time now I have been in serious, albeit uncoordinated thought. I have turned to the compass of my word processor in a bid to find direction in the stormy mess that my thoughts have become - and this post is born out of that rush for direction. Forgive me if I come across as disjointed, but feelings like this grab hold of me once in a blue moon. Service today was a Thanksgiving Service

MEET THE NEW koyegbeke

2010-11-05T14:24:00.004+01:00

Only God and my computer know how many times I have planned to start a consistent column on this blog - because even I have lost count. In most of those cases, I even went on to write the first few articles, only to stop after the very first post - or in some cases two or three. There are a lot of excuses I could make, but then the phrase "thou art inexcusable O man" keeps ringing in my head -

Give it up for MTN

2010-10-19T07:16:00.004+01:00

I almost did not write this, but then it would not be fair if I did not. Considering that only a while back I wrote a piece in which I labelled MTN a company bent on "ripping Nigerians off", it is only fair that I take back those words in the light of their new Internet connection rates and commend them for a job well done. By now, it is no news that MTN Nigeria has slashed their Internet

Lamentations from the past

2010-08-24T23:36:00.008+01:00

Just finished writing up a new story... Read the first few paragraphs down here, and read the full story here on my other blog. It was widely said of Ayankoso that he was okunrin meta, three men in one. Truly, he feared no man, for the reason that he wielded an almighty weapon; one so mighty that it often conquered the sword when all else failed. ‘Koso was the only person who could confront the

You too can walk on water!

2010-07-25T16:13:00.005+01:00