2011: Who Says Jonathan won't run?

Great write-up by Salisu Suleiman:


"As INEC unfolds its proposals for next year’s general elections in the midst of rising political activity, it is clearer than ever that if there is one thing common to Nigerian politicians, it is the fact that most of them do not look back at history and are thus unable to project, even hypothetically, what the future may be like. And because they are unable to draw the lessons from the past, they very often lack a strategic approach to power and politics. Indeed, from the jostling and postulations currently going on in the country, it is obvious that they also do not understand the nature and essence of power."


Read more here.

FOR THE LOVE OF NIGERIA...

(This was originally posted on the 1st of October, 2009)

For a few days now, I have felt under a lot of pressure.

I have repeatedly tried to commit my thoughts to my word processor, in a bid to ease the pressure, but motivation has been long in coming. Even now, as my fingers move lightly around the keyboard in an attempt to coax every last drop from the spigot of inspiration – I cannot shake the feeling that the flow will constrict and eventually die out. In any case, before I allow that to happen, I hope to maximize it.

Let’s do this, shall we?

I was taught by a cruel and unfeeling educational system not to show emotion, as shows of emotion were often ‘rewarded’ with punishment. I was brought up to believe that crying was synonymous with weakness, that public shows of emotion were only for the faint of heart – to be avoided with all the will power I could muster in demanding situations.

Sadly, in a drastic departure from what I have believed for years, recent happenings have taught me with agreeable force and shown me with stunning clarity - real men cry!

You know the feeling you get when you cry alongside a hungry kid who hasn’t eaten in days, yet who refuses your money in an effort to save face for his parents? You know the feeling you get when you cry alongside a father who has stuffed his ego down the toilet seat as he asks you for a loan to fix his motorcycle, so he can go out and make some money for his family? You know the feeling you get when you cry alongside a sick 3-year old that cannot afford quality medical treatment, and whom you are almost powerless to help?...

LAGOS BOY

This article is every bit for me as it is for you!

As is usual when I have not written in quite a while, I have way too many things running on my mind and picking one is sort of a Herculean task.

So, I am in Lagos for Industrial Attachment, but for me, this is a great opportunity to work for myself. I have been studying PHP for quite a while, and this is a time to hone my skills. I have this funny sensation of loving Lagos, and hating it at the same time. I love the new environment, the diversity, staying in Wale’s house, and meeting 2 of my cousins for the first time. At the same time, I hate the incessant traffic jams, the crowd of humanity that seems to dog every step I make, the heat, and the oppressive carbon monoxide tinged smell of the air.