Stories Cultured For Curious Minds

Oil and Gas Free Zone in Nigeria: What is it all About?

Post author:Grimot Nane Zine
Post published:August 25, 2015
Post category:Corruption Institutions Niger Delta Crisis
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Reading time:5 mins read

It was recently announced in July 2015 that Brass in Bayelsa State, Nigeria has been designated as an “Oil and Gas Free Zone” by the federal government. It was shocking to find out at a popular Nigerian eatery on the Old Kent Road, London that some university educated and hardworking men (originally from various parts of the Niger delta) solemnly thought “Oil and Gas Free Zone” (OGFZ) meant that Brass will be free from all oil and gas exploitation i.e. become a protected green zone. Such a misunderstanding is not unusual since the “free” like “foreign aid” in the global economy mean the opposite of their customary meanings. (more…)

Michal Lyons: An Angel We Will Never Forget

Post author:Grimot Nane Zine
Post published:August 22, 2015
Post category:Social Relations
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Reading time:1 mins read

How could I or any of the people who had the privilege of knowing (Prof) Michal Lyons ever forgot her for the wonderful and inspiring person and personality she truly was, even for a second? We will always remember you! (more…)

Probe of the Nigerian Electric Power

Post author:Grimot Nane Zine
Post published:August 21, 2015
Post category:Corruption Governance
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Reading time:5 mins read

Will the Probe of the Nigerian Electric Power Sector from 1999 to 2015 Succeed?

The Senate probe into the management or mismanagement of the Nigerian Electric Power Sector (NEPS) is a long awaited and welcome undertaking. However, it is an undertaking that will trigger and sustain a lot of skepticism about its potential success in the minds of innumerable observers of various persuasions, both foreign and local. What will come of it?

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Fraternities Are Viruses in Nigeria – The Claims

Post author:Grimot Nane Zine
Post published:August 17, 2015
Post category:Social Crisis
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Reading time:5 mins read

Fraternities Are Viruses in Nigeria - The Claims There are many “university campus grown fraternities” (UCGFs) in Nigeria today, some old and some new, but they all claim to be…

Monkey Tail, a Date-Rape Drug in Nigeria

Post author:Grimot Nane Zine
Post published:August 14, 2015
Post category:Social Crisis Social Relations
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Reading time:3 mins read

Monkey Tail, a Date-Rape Drug in Nigeria “Monkey Tail,” is an unlikely-sounding moniker. It is a drink made of ogogoro (local gin) left to brew in igbo (marijuana leaves, stems, roots or seeds). Well,…

Wole Soyinka and Military Forgiveness 3

Post author:Grimot Nane Zine
Post published:August 13, 2015
Post category:Social Relations
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Reading time:2 mins read

Wole Soyinka and Military Forgiveness 3

In a most unspectacular reinvention “moment”, Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, has publicly declared not only his “forgiveness” but the endorsement of President Muhammadu Buhari. He has affectionately called Buhari a “born again” and a “new phenomenon”. Every man has a right to change his mind, especially in the light of new evidence or expectations or access/protection of special personal interests. Interestingly, Soyinka has changed as much as he claims Buhari has in real terms over the years in whatever direction he has chosen – they are countless.

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Constant Electricity in Nigeria is Very Risky Business

Post author:Grimot Nane Zine
Post published:August 11, 2015
Post category:Corruption Governance Institutions
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Reading time:6 mins read

There is a lot of chit-chat that one of the ”ministerless” wonders of the Buhari administration’s electricity supply to Nigerians across the nation have “improved”. The question is have the blackouts and brown outs stopped? Or has the kilowatt-hour per capita consumption measurably improved? This is an indictment of successive governments that have for decades underdeveloped the power sector then privatised it expecting magic. Electricity is now an “avoided cost” for the government; is not willing to invest in the power sector, so it has been privatised. The cost of power project development many Nigerians expect the government to shoulder is no longer the its problem but it continues to use electricity as a potent political tool. (more…)