(Published in the Nigerian Tribune on Monday, 1 May, 2023) It was almost a missed call; or, more appropriately, an ignored call because the telephone number was unusual – an eight-digit number. But, something told me: pick it, and I did. “Hello, is that Mr. Lasisi Olagunju?” “Yes, sir,” I answered, waiting for what would…
The Terrorists are Back
(Published in the Nigerian Tribune on Monday, 10 April, 2023) My mystery Hausa friend has been busy with me lately. He has been firing a series of probing (invasive) messages. Sometimes, he asks questions; other times, he comes plain and provocative. On March 28, my friend told me “Igbos and Yorubas have been Nigeria’s problem…
Encounter with a Prophet
(Published in the Nigerian Tribune on Monday, 3 April, 2023) Like Nigeria’s multiple-award winning poet, Professor Niyi Osundare, I am also “farmer-born, peasant-bred.” Like him, I “encountered dawn in the enchanted corridors of the forest.” A powerful pastor once came to our village with drums and flutes. It was supposed to be a one-off visit…
Elections: Lessons from Oyo to Nigeria
(Published in the Nigerian Tribune on Monday, 27 March, 2023) “The ides of March are come,” Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar says in utter derision and dismissal of a life-and-death warning. And the soothsayer replies “Ay, Caesar; but not gone.” And truly, they were not gone. The 2023 elections should be over by now but they are…
The Politics of Osun State
(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…
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