The budget of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for 2025 is 49.7 trillion Naira. At the rate of 1,545 Naira to a dollar, this is roughly 32 billion dollars. There is a nice summary of the budget here. According to ChatGPT, NigeraPropertyCentre.com is a "prominent online real estate platform in Nigeria". Maybe we can use… Continue reading Nigeria’s 2025 Budget: Key Figures and Real Estate Insights
Understanding Kenneth E Hagin’s Interpretation of Biblical Wealth Scriptures
The Gelstat School of Psychology showed us that meaning is sensitive to context. The surrounding of an object, influence our perception of it. So it is with scriptures. Context of verses is very important
Jesus and the Temple Markets: Examining the Ethical Dimensions of Religious Commerce
Then Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. He said to them, “It is written,‘My house shall be called a house of prayer", but you are making it a den of… Continue reading Jesus and the Temple Markets: Examining the Ethical Dimensions of Religious Commerce
GBP to Naira Rate Between May 1, 2023 and March 1, 2024
In this post, I take a very brief look at the plight of the Naira since May 2023. I will focus on comparing the official rate to the rate in the parallel market using a graph I drew this evening. One of the first executive actions that the president took was to remove subsidy from… Continue reading GBP to Naira Rate Between May 1, 2023 and March 1, 2024
Foreign Stations in Africa Before the Internet Era
An article was recently forwarded to me focused on how much the UK and France spend annually on 'propaganda' in Africa. The commentary within the article diminished BBC's services in Africa, reducing them to mere propaganda and brainwashing. If only it were that simple. For me, this issue is not binary. As a child, my… Continue reading Foreign Stations in Africa Before the Internet Era
People of the City by Cyprian Ekwensi
"People of the City" was written by Cyprian Ekwensi in 1953. Despite studying Pharmacy, Ekwensi became a prolific author with several critically acclaimed books to his name. It's said that his father was a storyteller, which may have inspired Ekwensi's love for writing. After working in broadcasting, he eventually started his own business, showcasing his… Continue reading People of the City by Cyprian Ekwensi
To Hell With The Prophecy (Weep Not Child by James Ngugi)
This story comes from the second chapter of Weep Not Child by James Nguigi. I think it is pertinent to attitude of some Christians in Nigeria to voting in elections. As you read, please note I am angry abouta particular mindset. This post allows me to dissipate that anger so I don’t go to sleep… Continue reading To Hell With The Prophecy (Weep Not Child by James Ngugi)
Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again by Ola Rotimi
Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again by Ola Rotimi is a short play, about 85 pages. It should not take more than 2 hours to read. The book was written in 1977, just before the second republic. Nevertheless, there are quotable quotes that sounded prescient. For example, hear out the main character of the play:… Continue reading Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again by Ola Rotimi
The Brass Drums and The Preaching of the Gospel in T.A.A Ladele’s JE NG LO GBA TEMI
T.A.A Ladele published his book, JE NG LO GBA TEMI in 1971. He was born in 1920 and therefore was 51 years old at the time of writing. The events in his books could have taken place as early as 1925. There are many translations we can make of this title but I will simply… Continue reading The Brass Drums and The Preaching of the Gospel in T.A.A Ladele’s JE NG LO GBA TEMI
Cost of Living in Nigeria in 1986 – As Seen Through the Lens of My Father’s Diary
On a visit home in 2017, I carted back some of my parent's diaries, with permission of course. Today, I flicked through the 1986 diary. What caught my attention was the cost of goods in 1986. If you are conversant with the history of Nigeria, you will remember that it was in those days when… Continue reading Cost of Living in Nigeria in 1986 – As Seen Through the Lens of My Father’s Diary
The “spirit” in Camara Laye’s “The African Child”
I once blogged on the spirituality of the Yoruba people of South West of Nigeria (read here). As I read again The African Child by Camara Laye, it is very clear the same statement was true of the people of Guinea of his time. In this post I do a quick sweep of the the… Continue reading The “spirit” in Camara Laye’s “The African Child”
JE NG LO GBA TEMI by TAA Ladele and the Girl Child of South Western Nigeria, circa 1971
This short post is about the first page of JE NG LO GBA TEMI by TAA Ladele, a book written in 1971. A work of fiction but I believe fictions always have some basis in reality. JE NG LO GBA TEMI can be translated "Let me have fun", "I want to enjoy this season of… Continue reading JE NG LO GBA TEMI by TAA Ladele and the Girl Child of South Western Nigeria, circa 1971
“The African Child” By Camara Laye: West African Spirituality
The African Child was first published in 1954. The author was Camara Laye, an African immigrant from Guinea. who lived in France at the time of publication. The author was born in 1928. The first chapter of the book, the focus of this essay, was set at a time when he was very young, he… Continue reading “The African Child” By Camara Laye: West African Spirituality
NIGER. West African Frontier Force. Colonel F.D Lugard. 1897-1898.
In 1897 to 1898, Lord Lugard reported back to the Secretary of State for the Colonies about two of his achievements of the year, the raising of the 1st and 2nd Battalion. Full details of the report can be found here. The document is only 36 pages long but be warned that many comments there… Continue reading NIGER. West African Frontier Force. Colonel F.D Lugard. 1897-1898.
An Incident at Bere Farm in Adebayo Faleti’s Omo Olokun Esin (Son of the King’s Horseman)
In the Wikipedia entry for Kwasi Kwarteng, there is a quote about Black Lives Matter attributed to him that caught my attention: So within that time and geography there's a huge amount of variety, different cultures and different time periods and getting a sensitivity to that is hugely important and I think a lot of… Continue reading An Incident at Bere Farm in Adebayo Faleti’s Omo Olokun Esin (Son of the King’s Horseman)
Rev Jesse Josiah Ransome-Kuti and the Ogboni Fraternity
Recently, I wrote about Fela Anikulapo-Kuti's musical heritage (read here). Rev Jesse Josiah Ransom-Kuti was Fela's grand father: Rev Josiah Jesse Ransome-Kuti took a very radical and practical approach to his faith, and that approach brought conflict with the Anglican Church. A very good example was when he allowed the "Ogboni Fraternity" to hold a… Continue reading Rev Jesse Josiah Ransome-Kuti and the Ogboni Fraternity
The Musical Heritage of Fela Anikulapo Ransome Kuti
This post is all about Rev Canon Josiah Jesse Ransome Kuti, Fela Anikulapo Kuti's grandfather. Earlier this year, I read for the second time a book written in Yoruba titled "Lojo Ojoun" (in the olden days) by Isaac Delano. I am not sure the book is any longer in print anywhere but I found copies… Continue reading The Musical Heritage of Fela Anikulapo Ransome Kuti
Ejigbede Lona Isalu Orun (Ejigbede’s Journey to Heaven): First Look
Ejigbede Lona Isalu Orun was written by Joseph Ogunshina Ogundele and published in 1956 by Longmans, Green and Co LTD. Ejigbede (translated as "a pair of young pigeons or doves") was born in heaven to Laburukusege. My guess of the meaning Laburukesege is somebody you don't wish to offend. Coming out of the womb with… Continue reading Ejigbede Lona Isalu Orun (Ejigbede’s Journey to Heaven): First Look
Lójó Ojóun (In the Olden Days) – Early Encounter Between The Yorubas and The British
It is always good to start reading a book from the preface. It provides insight into the reasons why the author started the project. From the preface of Lojo Ojoun, we know that the author, Isaac Delano, wrote a historical account of the advent of British influence and its effects on the South West of… Continue reading Lójó Ojóun (In the Olden Days) – Early Encounter Between The Yorubas and The British
Aye Daye Oyinbo By Isaac Delano
These days, some in my network love to argue that Christianity is the cause of all our problems in Nigeria. They want us to return back to our manner of connecting with God before Christianity. It is a fact that Christianity came with colonization to South West of Nigeria. I am not a fan of… Continue reading Aye Daye Oyinbo By Isaac Delano
Magic/Magical Realism and/or Miracles?
Magic/Magical Realism (henceforth referred to as Magic Realism in this post) is considered to be a subset of literary fiction genre and is ludicrously credited to a 20th century German. It is defined as "what happens when a highly detailed realistic setting is invaded by something too strange to believe" (see source). I wanted to… Continue reading Magic/Magical Realism and/or Miracles?
Adiitu Olodumare by D.O Fagunwa (MBE): Figures of Speech in Yoruba Language
Adiitu Olodumare (Mystery of God) was probably the last book written by DO Fagunwa. It was published in 1961, just two years before his tragic death, in Bida, Niger State. In this post, I want to focus on how Fagunwa, an accomplished master of the language used figures of speech in the very first paragraph… Continue reading Adiitu Olodumare by D.O Fagunwa (MBE): Figures of Speech in Yoruba Language
The Palm Wine Drinkard by Amos Tutuola
This evening, I was blown away by the immensity of Amos Tutuola, the author. He had just six years of education and trained as a blacksmith, practicing that trade for the Royal Airforce during World War 2 (read more here). Other vocations he tried was selling bread and messenger. While working as a messenger, he… Continue reading The Palm Wine Drinkard by Amos Tutuola
Justice in Plato’s Republic versus The Golden Rule
A throwaway statement by Cephalus, a rich Athenian, resulted in a long debate on Justice. That debate was recorded in a book titled "The Republic" written by Plato. Cephalus said the benefit of his wealth was the ability to do the right thing and pay one's debt, one less thing to worry about as he… Continue reading Justice in Plato’s Republic versus The Golden Rule
Mine Boy by Peter Abrahams – Review, Part 2
If you have not read the first part of this review, please follow this link. In the first part of the review of Mine Boy, by Peter Abrahams, we followed the first few months of Xuma in the city. Xuma cultivated three relationships in those first months. The first one was a mother-son relationship between… Continue reading Mine Boy by Peter Abrahams – Review, Part 2
Mine Boy by Peter Abrahams, Review – Part 1
The first time I read "Mine Boy" by Peter Abrahams, it was one of the English Literature texts at high school. My enduring memory was the love triangle between Xuma, Eliza and Maisy. Re-reading as an adult, there are other dimensions to the book that are fascinating. I start this review with an introduction to… Continue reading Mine Boy by Peter Abrahams, Review – Part 1
Obaluaye: Ancestry Is Complicated
Of all the deities of the Yorubas, Obaluaye is the most feared. You probably know him by the name Sonponna, the deity that the Yorubas of old believed can inflict small pox even on the vaccinated. The Yorubas of the South Western part of Nigeria are very accomplished in dramatic arts. Growing up in the… Continue reading Obaluaye: Ancestry Is Complicated
Oluwa Lo Mejo Da (God is the fair and wise judge) – Act 1 Scene 1
This is an old book, written in 1966. The last reprint was in 1971. Admittedly, my copy is very worn and rugged. One of the main characters in the book is depicted on the cover. Please meet "Dr" Raimi Ewedogbon. By the way, he is a native doctor and also a priest of one of… Continue reading Oluwa Lo Mejo Da (God is the fair and wise judge) – Act 1 Scene 1
Eegun Alare (Magician Masquerades) and Yoruba Poetry
When I was growing up, authors of Yoruba novels were very prolific. This novel came to my attention in year 8 as it was our text for Literature in Yoruba language. It was written by Lawuyi Oguniran (navigate the link to his Wikipedia page). As I read the book recently, I was struck again by… Continue reading Eegun Alare (Magician Masquerades) and Yoruba Poetry
First Look at Ireke Onibudo (a book written by D.O. Fagunwa)
Ireke Onibudo delivering a princess from a flying Snake Ireke Onibudo was the fourth book written by D.O. Fagunwa, a pioneering author from the South West of Nigeria. There is a pattern to most of Fagunwa's books. There is a narrator, who had a very fascinating story to tell about his adventures in life, who… Continue reading First Look at Ireke Onibudo (a book written by D.O. Fagunwa)
Is There a Lesson Europe And America Can Learn From China?
The remarkable story is China. The worst month for China in 2020 was February, with 2,624 deaths and 69,554 cases. Cases in China picked up in December but the numbers are still astonishing low: 3061 cases and 39 deaths.
Nigeria Airways – March 1963
I found a magazine titled "Nigeria Magazine" in my father's shelf recently on a visit home. Wait for this, it was published in March 1963. That was before my parents were married. One of the things that caught my attention in the magazine was this advert by Nigeria Airways, which advertised its LONDON-NIGERIA service. From… Continue reading Nigeria Airways – March 1963
Káfilégboin (Let’s have it on the stiff): Yoruba Names
Names are not casually given among the Yorubas. Instead, they are carefully chosen. In some cases, a name reveals a great deal about the child. Yorubas who are conversant with their culture and traditions can find clues that points to social background, family trades and circumstances of birth from a name. The best illustration of… Continue reading Káfilégboin (Let’s have it on the stiff): Yoruba Names
The Oppressive Sun of South Western Nigeria – As Captured by D.O. Fagunwa in Igbo Olodumare (Forest Of God)
The first sentence (yes, sentence, not even paragraph!) of “Igbo Olodumare” by D.O. Fagunwa is over 300 words long. My readers are free to draw their conclusions on such a very long sentence but as I read it, I realised there is something very special about its content. Whoever lived in South Western Nigeria would… Continue reading The Oppressive Sun of South Western Nigeria – As Captured by D.O. Fagunwa in Igbo Olodumare (Forest Of God)
Nigeria, a Country That Turns on the Axis of Ethnic and Religious Identity
I just read Farooq Kperogi’s latest column on the appointment of Professor Joash Amupitan as INEC Chairman. As always, it’s an engaging read – witty, historically rich and provocative. But I think it also suffers from the very thing it warns against: over-interpretation through the lens of ethnicity. Kperogi argues that Tinubu’s choice of Amupitan,… Continue reading Nigeria, a Country That Turns on the Axis of Ethnic and Religious Identity
Pentecostalism and Controversy: The Story of Dr Sunday Adelaja
Whenever I wanted to cancel my subscription to the Economist, an article comes up that makes me change my mind. I first became aware of Dr Sunday Adelaja through Charisma Magazine, which covered events in the Pentecostal Movement. Charisma is based in America but its coverage was across the globe. I am no longer sure… Continue reading Pentecostalism and Controversy: The Story of Dr Sunday Adelaja
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