THE 2023 BAT ERA

The truth is that there is a perplexing parallel between Buharists of 2015 and Obidients of 2023. The difference is that Buharists of 2015 had Tinubu. A calm and organized strategist while Obidients had no such individual. Peter Obi should rather maintain a level head and tranquil mien whilst building alliances across Nigeria and try again in four years time. As all the warning signs were there. Social media, though a very potent factor in determining electoral outcomes in Nigeria in terms of mobilization and the abode of the "generation z" the major Peter Obi's support base is not the most important. The most vital voters are still in the rural areas our villages and hamlets. 

While the gen z were having a swell time controlling the social media space, using online violence, threats and abuses to quell any dissenting voices, the strategist himself "the jagaban" an heir of the Awolowo political dynasty was busy rallying, forging alliances wrought in steel, extending hands of friendship across the various regions of Nigeria and building a national platform to swerve votes. 

According to falz, this is Nigeria! This is indeed Nigeria. Despite our politics of ethnic alas religious coloration, one single religion in Nigeria cannot singlehandedly decide our president same applied to only one tribe and other sentimental attachments in Nigeria's broad array of such variables. A truly wider alliance must yet be formed for any candidate seeking Nigeria's top job.

His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu(BAT) understood comprehensively this fact. As they say action speaks louder than words. The outgoing president Muhammad Buhari remained an ethnic champion in the previous three elections he contested in at least based on the outcomes. I.E. 2003, 2007 and 2011. Although he did form a commendable alliance with the late Oyi of Oyi, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo before his death sequel to the 2003 elections but this was not enough to undress his regional clothing. In 2015, What happened when Tinubu stretched the wings of support to him is now history in the annals of electoral contestation in Nigeria.

Quoting Tinubu's words "emilokan". Its my turn was not borne out of empty aggrandizement but out of years of planning and superior calculation. It's surely his turn. His developmental strides as the first governor of Nigeria's commercial nerve center, Lagos in the fourth republic, his enabling of men, prudent management of resources and application of intellect is what Nigeria needs now at this new dawn and opportunity. So more power to his elbow.

Insomniac

Burning like wild fire

 I can't sleep

I keep on thinking

 Finding it hard to breathe

 My eyes are open,

I'm fully awake...

 I want to scream for help 

But everything seems vague

 I think I'm going through a plague 

Where I'm trapped in my own dreams

I can't come out of it

 Even tho it seems fake 

I wake up to pray 

But nothing seems to be working

I feel betrayed by my own body

 Or is it something else that's lurking

 I realize I'm sweating heavily 

In these dreams where a monster keep chasing me

 Leave me alone... I shout in my head

But it doesn't seem to be working

 What have I done wrong?

 I ask myself utterly sunken

 There is still hope, i try to convince myself

There are pains but more gains 

The benefits are more worthy, at least

 When will they finally leave me alone

 I want to be at peace

 They diagnosed me with insomnia as my most common disease

  I watch everyone around me 

 Forgive me but I watch in envy

When will I be able to sleep naturally

I've done pills, milk, and yoga

But nothing seems possible

        Truly is there a rainbow at the end of the tunnel?

       When will all these nightmares just be mere dreams? And all these cold nights I can't sleep just be memories? trying to survive 

   Throughout all my life

Breathing, thinking

    

     

 I've finally realized, an insomniac I'm meant to be 

By Mulikat Mustapha. 

Mother Russia and the West(Contemporary summary)

 Though the Soviet Union may have collapsed and weakened Mother Russia badly due to a large instance the plotting of the west, other factors were also responsible for this collapse as well. Nevertheless plotting of the same west especially the US is making Russia strong again. Firstly, they edged on Georgia with some Israeli and western supplied armory to take on Russian speaking territories of South Ossetia and Abkhasia, this was the beginning in recent years by Russia realizing the need that they have to be strong again else the West led by the US with the exception of Germany may be would steal their land and resources. Then again the US and EU through coup and sponsored some rascals in Ukraine to topple the then Russia friendly leader of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovich, which led to the Crimea war all because they want to absorb Ukraine into the EU and place NATO arms on Russia’s borders.Definitely Russia would have to respond and this time Putin was all the wiser, he attacked rather than defend by deploying Russian troops to the border so there can be quick response should a need be. As they say offense is the best form of attack. So the west have inadvertently made Russia stronger since the collapse of the Soviet Union rather than weaker.

(Image courtesy ft.com)

Other Side

Indeed, things are multidimensional, varying sides, perspectives. With patience unseen things become clearer.

Patience! It brings what is dim to light. An emotion so powerful, only the powerful can wield. An emotion so strong that manifesting this gives us control over all other emotions.

Patience is afar from foolishness. It gives an aura of unpredictability and strikes fear into a foe. When well exhibited, it brings to you more than you'd bargained.

For to see the other side, patience.

The British Experiment called Nigeria.

1. As a Nigerian in my own opinion, what's has been going on is: indeed after Independence, Nigeria did very well with the first set of nationalists who struggled for her Independence like Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Dr. Nmamdi Azikiwe, Sir Ahmad Bello, Chief Obafemi Awolowo et all. And other great Nigerians like Funmilayo Ransome Kuti mother of Fela Kuti. We started out with regional governments which was quite good and this brought about healthy competition among the various regions making up the country then. As well as a parliamentary system of government. However with the first coup orchestrated by Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu leading to the toppling of the civilian government and a perceived extermination of leaders from the Northern region like Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and other top military brass from the Northern part of the country and other parts as well but fewer in numbers. Ethnicity reared its ugly head. It should be noted from then on, Nigeria now lacked universality in actions for the general good of her people. This cannot be entirely blamed on the country because the British experiment called Nigeria was a muddled up one. Am not an advocate for the division of Nigeria like the late Ghaddaffi of blessed memory but it should be noted that Nigeria has over 500 ethnic groups who have been interacting with each other through trades, marriage etc before the British came along. Each group had its own basis of leadership and values. From the Islamic oriented North to Christian and African traditional religion in the East and South of the country. As well as animist tribes in the plateaus of the North. There was more of rules of engagement. But now in the 21st century I would say no need to roll back the clock but rather we must modify our own system of governance to suit our unique circumstance and not accept hook, line and sinker what the British bequeathed. Though, Nigeria is now practicing the presidential system of governance modelled after that of the USA with much concentration of power at the center. Which is worse than when we practiced the parliamentary system. In short, the traditional stool of authority should be elevated back to its glorious position in the Nigeria society just the way it was before the arrival of the British and the traditional ruler of each tribe should be like it's leader at the centre because most ethnic groups in Nigeria are loyal to their traditional leader and a center whittled of its power to enable us develop with our own system. So what's wrong with Nigeria since Independence? the British experiment.

A PERSON OF NO STRINGS

With free thought and goodness, i offer myself.
With the aim to exert all my energy to get your endeavor achieved.
To pursue with intense pursuance your goals.
To be your support, your shoulder to lean on.
Aligning my purpose to yours, else i should be carried away by mine.
Meditating with only the sound of the birds as my company.
In solitude, with clearness and calmness of mind, i persevere in your line of direction.
With a geat level of idemnity, even when there is none, i execute your orders.
With a sense of urgency, i move to realize your aspirations.
And yet, i get despised, trampled on and viewed as being unwise by your person.

No! i am none of those, i was only being a human with a free mind.
ZIA                                                                                                                                             

9 freaking years. And i am telling you this, it hurts.

Its the pain that rips you apart.

Its the pain i tell you that brings you from the extremum of happiness to the pit of sorrow and anguish.

I swear to God, i miss her too.

Sometimes all i wish for is to hear her laugh.

I still remember her exceptional laugh.

Her smile.

She was so beautiful.

I miss her so much.

All we are left with now is just memories.

Memories of joy.

Memories of her laughs.

And everything.

Because i tell you, she is just one of those beautiful souls you never fail to miss.

Its been 9years. 

But the wounds still havent healed.

Its been 9years, 

but i tell you it feels like yesterday.

Its been 9years, but we still miss you.

What wouldnt we give to see even if its as little as a smile.

Some know you by mum. I know you best by "yawo jummai". I miss you. I love you.

Your kids Insha Allah. They will grow up to be wonderful boys and they will make you proud.

Make us proud.

-Maipha