Thursday, January 27, 2011

Short Story: The Fight For Sleep

It was one of those nights for Him. He haggered Himself out of the clothings that have engulfed Him all day, and poised to make the most of His anticipated rest, but this was not to be. Just when He thought He had won the battle for sleep, flashes which He could not explain, forced His perturbed eyes open. 'The noise must have woken me up', He wondered. A noise, whose roots He could not fathom. He laid on His back, glancing at the fan as they performed their duties. He cursed the night, as if it was responsible for His trobules. Down but not out, He left the bed and went to find fresh comfort on the bare floor. But even this, did not work. Tears began to form in His eyes, as a certain pain came piercing at His fragile heart. It was a tussle for sleep. Yet, this very activity that seemed normal for all mortals, had decided to tortue Him. All His efforts to covet sleep, ended in futility. And as He lay on His couch, He could feel His eyes asking to be shut down. But just then, the cock crowed, to remind Him, that the morning he dreaded has come, and the hell of a routine day must now begin.

Friday, January 21, 2011

The Dwindling Fortunes Of Reading In Nigeria

This is certainly not a strange theme in public discourse. But, like most salient public debates in our turf, this issue has often suffered the unkindly fate of being swept under the carpet. Gone were the days, when a book conjured untold vaule for the readers. When reading elicited exictement and real pleasure. But, as it is often said, those good old days are well behind us. Reading, has come to be percieved as a cumbersome venture that is both too tasking to engage in, and extremely unnecessary to call important. Some of the youths tend to prefer hiding under the disguise of the popular cliché that 'times have changed'. It is true that technology has come to facilitate our efficiency and change the way we do things, but, to suggest that technology has come to act as a substitue for reading, is a sheer act of self-deciet. It is even more pathetic that most youths today, have made social networking websites their second home. Indeed, this piece might run the risk of going un-noticed, or even being percieved as mere rantings, and much ado about nothing. But, if this ugly trend persist, then, there is little to convince the mind with, that the future of our country is truly bright.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Racism In Africa: The burden of a continent

By all sorts of names, we are being ridiculed. They call us the 'Dark Continent', they paint us as the 'White man's burden'. And as if these were not enough to bleed the African soul, they call our land 'The Whiteman's Graveyard'. These inimical viewpoints of Africa has been a lingering plague, that has hung over us like a cloud. Only the Heavens knew what the European poet, Rudyard Kipling had in mind, when he called the African 'Half child, Half devil'. The Continent might be in chaos, but we are nothing close to what they make us look like. Is it not an irony of the highest order, that a Dark Continent will produce the likes of Nelson Mandela, Camara Laye, Chinua Achebe, Kwame Nkurumah, Chimanda Adiche, Kofi Annan, and the endless list of men and women that has been a beacon of light to not just their nations, but to the world at large. Having said that, necessity beckons on Africans to help salvage this battered image by getting it right. We will continue to be potrayed as such, when President Gbagbo has refused to heed to the voice of the electorate in Ivory Coast, when Tunisia has made themselves a beehive of political rest. This is the future. Enough is Enough!

Saturday, January 15, 2011

ARSENAL: NOW OR NEVER

The team is still young, injuries to key players, refrees hate Arsenal, it is not all about throphies. Without sounding too critical, these are all over-used excuses Arsenal. Six years have elapsed, since a throphy was last lifted at the Emirates. This throphy-drought have led to fierce criticism and contempt for not just the team, but also for their dogged manager, Arsené Wenger. It is a paradox of the game, that a team like Arsenal, that plays exquisite football, have no throphies to show for it. However, no matter what the detractors say, this has not forced Arsenal and Wenger to compromise their philosophy of football for anything else. But, the fans are getting worried. A throphy, no matter the calibre, is desperately desired at the Emirates. At least, to restore some form of confidence. This season provides a great opportunity for Arsenal to break this spell. The team is presently in the last four of the Carling Cup, with teams such as West Ham, Birringham and Ipswich. Even in the league, they are within reach of leaders, Manchester United. Then, the enormous task of defeating Barcelona in the champions league, not to talk of the wonderful chance that the FA Cup presents. It is a make or break season for Arsenal, and with their destiny firmly in their hands, only Arsenal can stop Arsenal from winning something this season.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Atiku And His Broken Dreams!

Once bitten, twice shy. The unkindly fate of former vice president, Atiku Abubakar is a reminder of how swift one's political fortune can take a nosedive in the murky waters of Nigerian politics. Born to a family of note, Atiku's travails in the political scene has been a story of the good, the bad and the ugly. Things began to fall apart for the Adamawa state indigine, when He couldn't guard His inflated ambitions to become president. This act of impudence battered relations with His then boss, Olusegun Obasango. OBJ, a godfather known for His vindictive and ruthless nature, appeared to have sworn never to forgive Atiku. However, emerging as the Northern consensus party brought a ray of hope for Atiku, but, it was shortlived. The last straw of the camel's back was broken when He was taken to the cleaners by President Goodluck Jonathan, in the PDP's Presidential Primaries. It is pathetic that he even lost in his own state. Indeed, the party that his family helped concieved, has become a nightmare for Him. Now, He is faced with the daunting task of picking the remains of His shattered dreams and forging ahead to a bleak future.

Atiku And His Broken Dreams!

Atiku And His Broken Dreams!

Nigeria 2023 Elections: A Crime Scene

The 2023 Nigeria general elections have been a complete sham, and a retrogression of our nascent democracy. Whatever gains Professor Jega ma...