November 6, 2024
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Viewpoints

On Bakare’s sermon on Igbos and the curse of Balewa

I have across several posts on Pastor Tunde Bakare’s recent message, apparently declaring that the Igbos cannot rule Nigeria. I have learned the important lesson that, on social media especially, it is always helpful to check and ascertain contents. Just yesterday, another video clip was making the rounds that terrorists were spotted on a drone

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Viewpoints

Lament for a nation

On 1st October 2021, social media was awash with several congratulatory posts and celebratory commentaries on the ocassion of Nigeria’s independence. In this “democratic” virtual space, one can sympathise with the message of optimism- including reflective messages from citizens who have summoned us to hope in the midst of one of the darkest phases in

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Viewpoints

The social psychology of racism

I remember attending a workshop 16 years ago in Nottingham. The event was organised, as I recall, by the Nottingham City Council to encourage more “black” people to get into teaching. That was in recognition of the significant under-representation of African and Caribbean teaching staff in the school system. So they got this guy as

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Viewpoints

Kashamu Buruji: deconstructing Nigeria’s “grassroots” politics

The death of Ogun state Senator,  Kashamu Buruji, has generated a lot of comments and reactions in the Nigerian public space. Former President Obasanjo, in his reaction, did not pull punches when he denounced the deceased as one who, in his lifetime, “used the manoeuvre of law and politics to escape from facing (sic) justice

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Policy issues Viewpoints

The trials of “Brother” Seyi

After one year in office, there is one area in which the most strident is Governor Seyi Makinde’s detractors will struggle to gain traction: the fulfilment of his promise to pay the salaries of civil servants regularly. In other climes this will be considered trite, perhaps to the point of ridiculing any public officials who

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People Viewpoints

“Doctor” Mommy: Celebrating the First Doctors At Home

There were waves of joyous felicitation at the beginning of this week on the occasion of this year’s Mothers day. Splashed across social media were photos and videos tinted with goodwill messages, prayers and best wishes for mothers, not to count phone calls from loved ones near and afar. The happy cheers were quite heart-warming.  Mothers

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Viewpoints

Book review: The Crowd: study of the popular mind

I have always been interested in the psychology of crowds. However, the past decade has renewed a free interest, in the wake of Barack Obama’s emergence, and then Donald Trump, and the rise of populist nationalism across the globe. So, when a friend recommended Gustave Le Bon’s book, I was looking forward to reading it.

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Viewpoints

Scapegoating China won’t do any good

I recently came across an opinion piece by former Nigeria’s education minister Obiagel Ezekwesili arguing that China must pay reparations to African countries as a compensation for Coronavirus pandemic. She stated, among others, that “China should immediately announce a complete write-off of the more than $140 billion that its government, banks and contractors extended to countries

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Viewpoints

Book review: oil, politics and violence

The leadership of the armed forces, and subsequently of the country, was thrust upon a highly decorated thoroughbred professional soldier who had no interest in politics, and little knowledge of the country from which he had been absent for most part of his military career. Two coups later, and with the discovery of crude oil

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Viewpoints

Amazon and the co-option of neighbourhood social capital for profit maximisation

Amazon is now co-opting millions of households into their delivery chain, with what can be described as open stealth. If you are reading this, say in the UK or US, you probably work for Amazon. All of that without pay.  I just heard my door bell ring minutes ago (I happen to be working from

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