Author: Osmund Agbo
In the end, it is not so much a question of whether Mr Elba is a great fit for Okonkwo as it is the need to preserve the cultural essence of Things Fall Apart. In his own words, Achebe observed that “The worst thing that can happen to any people is the loss of their dignity and self-respect.” In its sixty six years of existence, Things Fall Apart has given us a distinctive identity in the world of letters. It has accumulated a transcendent weight akin to the Bible. May its value not be watered down by a strange desire…
Kagame’s actions critics say, are reminiscent of Libya’s former leader Muammar Gaddafi, who was both a transformative figure domestically and a destabilizing force in Africa. Gaddafi, praised for turning Libya into one of the continent’s most prosperous nations through vast oil wealth, free healthcare, education, and housing programs, also engaged in a series of proxy wars that fueled conflicts across Africa. Rwanda, a country in the Great Lakes region of East Africa, shares striking similarities with the state of Israel. Both nations emerged from a horrific past marked by genocide that claimed the lives of millions of men, women, and…
Despite advancements in technology that have made flights more efficient and reduced costs, the passenger experience has deteriorated. Seats have become smaller, legroom more cramped, and complimentary services increasingly rare. What used to be standard comforts are now often considered luxuries, available only for an additional fee. I can still recall, with striking clarity, my first flight to the United States from Nigeria on a crisp January day in 2001. It was more than just a journey; it was a leap into the unknown, leaving behind the familiar warmth of home for the vast, uncharted territories of a new…
In a society where the roles of kings and commoners (talakawas) have long been viewed as divinely ordained, the power imbalance between the Hausa and Fulani was largely accepted without question. But today, this dynamic is being challenged. The Hausa are now questioning the sustainability of a system that concentrates power in the hands of the Fulani elite. Growing up, I have to admit that I harbored certain misconceptions about people living north of the River Niger. In my youthful naivety, which was not uncommon among those around me at the time, we simplistically viewed the North as more or…
In the words of a British Somali poet Warsan Shire: “No one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark.” As I sat in the pew on that brisk October day, I found myself among roughly thirty graduates in the class of ’97 from Nnamdi Azikiwe University Medical School. We were undergoing the solemn induction ceremony conducted by the Nigerian Medical and Dental Council (MDCN), a rite of passage that formally ushered us into the esteemed ranks of the medical profession. For my peers and me, this moment signified the culmination of a lifelong ambition—a dream that had…
In the words of the great Chinese philosopher: “A country can be destroyed not by outsiders, but only if it destroys itself from within.” — Confucius This past weekend, I encountered a very familiar debate among Nigerians on Facebook. A well-educated and highly respected Nigerian was seeking to understand the basis for the Nigerian diaspora’s support of Vice President Kamala Harris in the U.S. He couldn’t fathom why any conscientious Nigerian would align with the Democratic Party, which he believes has meddled in past Nigerian elections that resulted in the controversial presidencies of Buhari and Tinubu. Our friend contended that…
The relationship between Israel, the Jewish state, and Iran hasn’t always been as hostile as it is today. In fact, under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Iran and Israel maintained a pragmatic relationship. The two nations engaged in economic and military cooperation, sharing concerns about the rise of Arab nationalism and Soviet influence in the region. However, the 1979 Iranian Revolution dramatically altered this dynamic. In the land where the Zag rod Mountains meet the horizon and vast deserts tell tales of ancient times lies a country historically known as Persia. Its history weaves the rich mosaic of human civilization. From…
The prevailing narrative suggests that Northern politicians largely resist this idea, which is true; however, past Southern presidents, from Obasanjo to Jonathan, exhibited little to no interest in genuine power devolution, fearing a diminishment of their executive authority. Jonathan convened the 2014 confab, but when it came to implementing its recommendations, he demurred, prioritizing his political survival. Before assuming the presidency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) exuded confidence in his capacity to rescue Nigeria from its dire circumstances. Those were the days of big dreams and great visions. Today, BAT confronts the harsh realities of leadership, realizing that the complexities of…
When faced with the choice between understanding how the world should work in theory versus how it actually operates in practice, prioritize the latter. Historian Will Durant aptly put it: “Logic is an invention of man and may be ignored by the universe.” Embracing this perspective allows us to navigate the complexities of human behavior more effectively and achieve more realistic and impactful outcomes. If anyone is in doubt that stupidity is winning globally, look no further than the United States of America. Recently, the land of Lincoln, Franklin, and Hamilton, once a crucible where inspiring leaders are forged, has…
Fact is, the controversy surrounding Wole Soyinka’s recent comments isn’t solely about his critique of Peter Obi. The deeper issue lies in the perceived shift of a man long seen as a symbol of resistance, morality, and sanity—a stalwart against military dictators and political deceit—now seeming reluctant to criticize Bola Tinubu. Despite the opacity and controversies surrounding Tinubu’s rise, Soyinka’s stance appears tempered by his long-standing personal relationship with him. This implicit bias has complicated matters for Soyinka. On October 2, 1996, the world-renowned American cyclist Lance Armstrong faced a devastating blow: a diagnosis of testicular cancer. Just as his…