Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
2011 election draws near, where are the gladiators
They say the change should start with us. I am willing to vote for a progressive next year; it’s just that I can't seem to find any.
Pat Utomi used to be the 'man' but he has since dropped back to the usual wordy posting on Facebook. One had hoped Donald Duke would morph into some kind of Kennedy, but like the others, he seemed to have too many ... See more skeletons to bury.
I hear Dele Momodu is gunning for the top job, but I fear he might move the capital from Abuja to Accra. Besides, beyond musicians, actors, money bags and the like, I doubt if the man on the street knows who he is, abi welders and conductors dey read Ovation.
Bankole could have been a 'to die for' but the guy own worst pass, like Chimaroke, he seems to be keen on squandering a golden opportunity to endear himself to his fellow youths.
As it stands, I want to vote next year, but unlike last time around, when around this time I already knew Pat Utomi was going to get my vote, I am at loss as to who will fly the flag of the progressives.
Jonathanlitics or not, I am yet to be sold on the man, he seems to be a man with purpose and good intent, but so was OBJ.
I WILL VOTE sha, for Fashola... I don't know who else for.
Yes, writers and books are ‘in’ in Nigeria
I was again opportune to be at the Island on Saturday 26th June 2010 for two literary events: the Book Jam at the galleria and the review of Nnedi Okorafor’s ‘Zarah the Windseeker’.
For some, there might be nothing worth celebrating in two book events in one day in a city as big as Lagos, but for those of us who had sought for avenues to interact with established writers, this is as big as it gets.
Yes, Nigerian literature seem to be going places, buoyed up by a resurgence that is bringing smiles to the faces of the old timers and a burst of writing energy from emerging writers. I recall not so long ago when the only avenues where one could interact with fellow writers were the monthly Association of Nigerian Authors Lagos chapter (ANA Lagos) meetings at the National theatre (dry mouth meetings, as one old timer used to say), Tosyn Bucknor’s S.H.A.R.E and Taruwa, that tough more of a weekly open-mike-night, still found it worthy to incorporate poetry readings and the like.
A couple of years back, Nigeria writing on the net, though available, was spread too thin and appeared only able to accommodate the known names, a fact that was serious source of frustration for amateur writers like me who then needed feedbacks on their attempts at stringing words together (we had to contend with feedbacks from foreigners who knew next to nothing about the environment we were writing from).
Then came neo-Nigerian sites like NigeriaVillageSquare.com, SentinelPoetry.org and the like, which allowed writers avenues to display their work and get feedback from people who understood where they were coming from.
These days, there are an abundance of sites dedicated to Nigerian and African literature and social network sites like facebook allows young writers to not only post their works but also tag established writers who offer advice and encouragements . One such site garnering massive following among new writers is Myne Whiteman’s Naijastories.com.
I missed the Zarah the Windseker’s review as my African timing failed me (I think it’s time I join the modern age) and I got to the venue one hour late, with my copy of Nnedi’s novel clasped tightly under my armpit, to find the event I was so looking forward to over. I was annoyed, but only at myself (I had hoped to say a lot about the fantasy genre in Nigeria, since I too write traditional fantasy and felt my contribution would have been welcomed), I didn’t have much time to be annoyed as I quickly bought Seffi Atta’s ‘everything good will come’ and Chimamanda’s ‘Purple hibiscus’ and jumped on the next Okada to the Silverbird Galleria where Bookjam was in full session.
It was a fulfilling session (though I came too late and didn’t get to partake in the item seven) with Toni Kan Onwordi, author of ‘Nights of the Creaking Bed’ and Abraham Oshoko, author of ‘June 12: The Struggle for Power’ giving deep insights into their work and life.
Yeah, I got to talk about writing with writers and left feeling elated. Good news is that we get to do it again on July 3rd 2010 as DADA books showcase the writers involved in what is the most anticipated anthology in the country at the moment: Lagos: 2060. Yep I am one of those writers.
For some, there might be nothing worth celebrating in two book events in one day in a city as big as Lagos, but for those of us who had sought for avenues to interact with established writers, this is as big as it gets.
Yes, Nigerian literature seem to be going places, buoyed up by a resurgence that is bringing smiles to the faces of the old timers and a burst of writing energy from emerging writers. I recall not so long ago when the only avenues where one could interact with fellow writers were the monthly Association of Nigerian Authors Lagos chapter (ANA Lagos) meetings at the National theatre (dry mouth meetings, as one old timer used to say), Tosyn Bucknor’s S.H.A.R.E and Taruwa, that tough more of a weekly open-mike-night, still found it worthy to incorporate poetry readings and the like.
A couple of years back, Nigeria writing on the net, though available, was spread too thin and appeared only able to accommodate the known names, a fact that was serious source of frustration for amateur writers like me who then needed feedbacks on their attempts at stringing words together (we had to contend with feedbacks from foreigners who knew next to nothing about the environment we were writing from).
Then came neo-Nigerian sites like NigeriaVillageSquare.com, SentinelPoetry.org and the like, which allowed writers avenues to display their work and get feedback from people who understood where they were coming from.
These days, there are an abundance of sites dedicated to Nigerian and African literature and social network sites like facebook allows young writers to not only post their works but also tag established writers who offer advice and encouragements . One such site garnering massive following among new writers is Myne Whiteman’s Naijastories.com.
I missed the Zarah the Windseker’s review as my African timing failed me (I think it’s time I join the modern age) and I got to the venue one hour late, with my copy of Nnedi’s novel clasped tightly under my armpit, to find the event I was so looking forward to over. I was annoyed, but only at myself (I had hoped to say a lot about the fantasy genre in Nigeria, since I too write traditional fantasy and felt my contribution would have been welcomed), I didn’t have much time to be annoyed as I quickly bought Seffi Atta’s ‘everything good will come’ and Chimamanda’s ‘Purple hibiscus’ and jumped on the next Okada to the Silverbird Galleria where Bookjam was in full session.
It was a fulfilling session (though I came too late and didn’t get to partake in the item seven) with Toni Kan Onwordi, author of ‘Nights of the Creaking Bed’ and Abraham Oshoko, author of ‘June 12: The Struggle for Power’ giving deep insights into their work and life.
Yeah, I got to talk about writing with writers and left feeling elated. Good news is that we get to do it again on July 3rd 2010 as DADA books showcase the writers involved in what is the most anticipated anthology in the country at the moment: Lagos: 2060. Yep I am one of those writers.
Friday, June 25, 2010
In Aba, Outdoors at night is synonymous with suicide
I have heard severally about the security situation in my home region, the South East, but have never really given it much thought until a friend visited over the weekend and received a call from her step-mother about a call her dad received earlier from perceived men of the underworld who were demanding he settles them or face the music.
When I laughed at the incredulity of the whole situation, my friend told me that its more heartbreaking than funny to her because its very serious.
Her dad, she said, was in very big trouble as the crooks are now targeting anybody that can pay even as little as a hundred thousand Naira and their calls and letters are not mere pranks to get people scared but real missives that carry their intent.
She went on to narrate how they have in the past sent letters to government officials, banks and even the police. In Abia state, she said. The crooks are kings as the government is also in hiding.
I don't know, but if what she said is true, (which I think, going by the President's interview yesterday, is.) then governance in Abia state is a mockery that shouldn't be allowed to continue beyond this dispensation - I am sure this should be an indictment on those who arranged for someone like the present governor to emerge in the first place.
I hear too that refuse has taken over environment and the whole city smells like a dump site.
The question is, how long shall the people of Abia state continue to endure the rotten fruits of bad governance while neighbours like Enugu and Imo progress by the day?
N/B
At the moment my friend's family is running around to raise the demanded sum before the deadline the criminals gave. All thought of contacting the police is out of it because they are said to also exist in a state of fear in Abia state, out-manned and out-gunned by the crooks. Pathetic situation...is this naija?
When I laughed at the incredulity of the whole situation, my friend told me that its more heartbreaking than funny to her because its very serious.
Her dad, she said, was in very big trouble as the crooks are now targeting anybody that can pay even as little as a hundred thousand Naira and their calls and letters are not mere pranks to get people scared but real missives that carry their intent.
She went on to narrate how they have in the past sent letters to government officials, banks and even the police. In Abia state, she said. The crooks are kings as the government is also in hiding.
I don't know, but if what she said is true, (which I think, going by the President's interview yesterday, is.) then governance in Abia state is a mockery that shouldn't be allowed to continue beyond this dispensation - I am sure this should be an indictment on those who arranged for someone like the present governor to emerge in the first place.
I hear too that refuse has taken over environment and the whole city smells like a dump site.
The question is, how long shall the people of Abia state continue to endure the rotten fruits of bad governance while neighbours like Enugu and Imo progress by the day?
N/B
At the moment my friend's family is running around to raise the demanded sum before the deadline the criminals gave. All thought of contacting the police is out of it because they are said to also exist in a state of fear in Abia state, out-manned and out-gunned by the crooks. Pathetic situation...is this naija?
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