When I read the original Parresia imprint of Cheluchi's The Son of the House almost two years ago, it made quite an impression. I quickly wrote a review which mysteriously disappeared by the time I woke up in the morning. I assure you I didn’t compose it in my dream. One often writes a review … Continue reading Cheluchi Onyemelukwe-Onuobia’s The Son of the House
Oriki Ilu Offa by Eluyemi Lateef
left to their own devices
The Kaduna-Zaria stretch of the Abuja-Kano highway used to be like a sanctuary, rarely witnessing highway banditry or kidnapping. An oasis of sanity in a gloomy, murderous wilderness. Alas, in recent weeks, the story has changed. The driver that took me to Kaduna yesterday narrated the chilling story of how he burst his toe on … Continue reading left to their own devices
We are not united by common heroes
The Nigerian military is a bundle of paradoxes and contradictions. Over the years, it has appeared to be the most nationalistic institution in the country – the glue that has held the country together at its moments of greatest fragility. It is an institution in which loyalty to the country and military espirit de corps … Continue reading We are not united by common heroes
On the Controversy in Kano and the Planned Public Debate
Hausa-speaking Muslims are looking forward to a debate coming up in Kano later this month. This ‘debate’ appears to be the latest iteration of the historical encounter that has pitched those who have raised objections to the validity of Sunni Prophetic traditions and the narrative integrity of the Companions of the Prophet against those who … Continue reading On the Controversy in Kano and the Planned Public Debate
Oriki Offa
How Nigeria can Regain Vaccine Self-Reliance
Three vaccines have been licensed for use in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic – Oxford-AstraZeneca, Moderna and Pfizer. Nigeria is currently expecting 100,000 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine by the end of January through COVAX, the global alliance to ensure equitable access to vaccines for everybody. Because each person needs two doses of the vaccine spaced … Continue reading How Nigeria can Regain Vaccine Self-Reliance
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennet
In this historical novel that came out in 2020, Brit Bennet kneads the dough of the well-used ‘passing' plot afresh to spin an intriguing new tale. The Vanishing Half is the story of the identical twins – Desiree and Stella – born in the fictional village-small town in Louisiana called Mallard. The inhabitants of Mallard, … Continue reading The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennet
Citation: a viewer’s opinion of the movie
Because of the noise that people were making on Facebook and the general hype all over the place I finally sat down to watch the movie. Shebi that was how I succumbed to promo and hype and came and went and watched Avatar and that Wakanda movie? Avatar, that dazzling fireworks display of new age … Continue reading Citation: a viewer’s opinion of the movie
On the Nobel Prize for Physics, Cosmology, and Popular Science Writing
I’ve been itching to comment on this matter since this award was announced but work has been such a pesky distraction. What came to my mind when those Swedes made the announcement was: Poor Stephen Hawking! If he had been alive, he surely would have shared the award with his collaborator Roger Penrose. Earlier in … Continue reading On the Nobel Prize for Physics, Cosmology, and Popular Science Writing
Shakir's blogpatch 