While historical comparisons can come off the cuff, it’s never easy to compare the living with the fictional. And there is a simple explanation to this. First is the truism that whereas the one has God’s blood flowing through their…
Weathering the imminent storm – Isidore Emeka Uzoatu
Nigeria has never slacked in the search for solutions to its umpteen problems. Like back then, when yet another panel was set up to look into the problems besetting a financial institution. They could not but submit a shattering report.…
Mbaka and the burden of courage – Isidore Emeka Uzoatu
I don’t have change o!” was all the rather laconic-looking boy piloting the craft said as we set sail. Though I had the requisite ‘change’ as it were, the mere mention of that word in this nation now evinced an…
Northern youths as Solomon’s heirs apparent- Isidore Emeka Uzoatu
I woke up the other day to the news that certain youths from the northern side of the country are allegedly blocking food trucks from ferrying goods down south. It juxtaposed well with all the other strange happenstances taking place…
Waiting for the 90th (Two poems to WS @ 70 and 80)
1. Enigmata (To Wole Soyinka @ 70). You hated fruitless journeys abroad, yet Aligned into a wasted generation at home: Preferred Kafka quaffed in straight draughts Yet stooped to housebreak Euripides for us: A tiger flauntet not its tigritude, you…
Osun State’s traditional religion exemplar – Isidore Emeka Uzoatu
Recently the government of the Osun State of Nigeria declared Tuesday, August 20th, 2019 a public holiday for their ‘Traditional Worshippers’ to celebrate the annual Isese Day. Recall that a different date was offered the same grace last year. No doubt,…
Lessons from Senator Ike’s trials – Isidore Emeka Uzoatu
Ike Ekweremadu, before you think I was writing about Jim Iyke, is a ranking senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. By the special grace of God, before the current interregnum, he was its immediate-past Deputy President. A position he…
Restructuring versus the labours of our heroes past – Isidore Emeka Uzoatu
The much maligned 2019 federal elections has come and gone. Like so many pundits were cocksure even before the first ballot was cast, President Muhammadu Buhari was by it returned to a second tenure of four years. Notably, among other…
Of Ghana, Gandhi and other integrity integers – Isidore Emeka Uzoatu
The recent removal of a statue of the hitherto revered Indian nationalist leader Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948) from the grounds of the University of Ghana for his racist credentials refers. Dedicated in 2016 by Pranab Mukherjee, the then Indian president, it…
Beyond Tolerance: Deconstructing belief -Isidore Emeka Uzoatu
As 2019 approaches and all our discourse has been taken over by the political mess we have found ourselves since independence. But there may yet be time for the more pertinent issue of why we are so blest. Truth spoken,…