Stories Cultured For Curious Minds

The Near Death Experience of a Petite Man 2

The Near Death Experience of a Petite Man 2

The Near Death Experience of a Petite Man 2

II

Taba and Tomos, who were allies and bitter enemies, were working together by themselves on a plot at Marioka’s house in Catford, South London. They could never meet up for a humane activity. Abetting, not cooperation, brought them together. Marioka had a sudden emergency to attend in Southgate, North London. Marioka’s abode was an imposing, well-decorated three-bedroom house with a grey brick facade overlooking the leafy Mountsfield Park. They were in the computer room upstairs working on their gentleman’s club server. Tomos was gradual in his disdain towards anyone he considered beneath him, yet again.

Wearing a smart suit as ever, Tomos was smug in taking ever bold verbal jabs at Taba. He bragged about his father’s exploits as a notable architect and his birth in the UK. However, his dismissal of Taba as a person descended from peasants and obsessed with social-climbing was harsh and unnecessary. Tomos went further to inform Taba, one is well-born or not. Self-made men without pedigree are usually “one generation wonders.” The limit came when Taba was told living in England could never elevate his type. (more…)

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The Niger Delta Clean-Up for Profiteers?

Niger Delta Clean-Up for Profiteers?

Niger Delta Clean-Up for Profiteers?

It has been announced by the Buhari Administration that the heinous cumulative oil pollution in the Niger Delta will be cleaned-up; this is very good news. The clean-up is a recommendation by the 2011 UNEP report (i.e. four years ago). Why it took so long to get to this stage?  Perhaps, a result of a confluence of sheer misgovernance, inordinate oil wealth greed, political insensitivity. As you might have known already, the delay is due to corruption. So what is the predictable scenario of the clean-up in practice? Are Niger Deltan going to have clean water resources and decontaminated lands? (more…)

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National Association of Seadogs: Capoon or Capone?

National Association of Seadogs: Capone?

National Association of Seadogs: Capone?

Wole Soyinka who is synonymous with NAS as its co-founder and most famous member is a literary giant and an intellectual. He is no mafia Don nor mafioso. Why would an organisation that identifies with Soyinka like a leech look racketeers, at least in the public perception. He is their spiritual leader and more.

The Leaders of the National Association of Seadogs (NAS) a.k.a. the Pyrates Confraternity, are commonly known in public as “Capoons”. The word Capoon is a slight corruption of the “Cap’n” which in turn is a slight corruption of the word “Captain”. The leaders of the international body and chapters of NAS are thus Captains, colloquially Capoons. Some scribes of NAS have even chosen to use the more formal term “President” to match corporate ambitions. Such is an interesting evolution considering the available choices in question. (more…)

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Pyrates: Original Anti-Corruption in Nigeria

Pyrates: Original Anticorruption in Nigeria

Pyrates: Original Anticorruption in Nigeria

In 1953, the Pyrates Confraternity (PC), an all-male campus fraternity, began at the University of Ibadan (then a college of the University of London) by seven men. The most famous of the seven being Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka. University education in Nigeria was just half a decade old and was an uncertain colonial experiment. PC they were to establish several chapters at other universities ever since. (more…)

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No Friend No Foe

No Friend No Foe

No Friend No Foe

Agnotologics, ponerologics, repression, oppression, absurdity, deception and toxic entitlement all rolled into one is the mark of decadence, filth and wickedness in practice but in the name of ‘fighting the ills of society’ and being a born-again ‘service organisation’. That is distinguishing, yet the persuasive lie of the university grown campus fraternity (UCGF). Fortunately, No Friend No Foe is self-explanatory.

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“Escravos”: Elite Anti-Colonialists?

“Escravos”: Elite Anti-Colonialists?

“Escravos”: Elite Anti-Colonialists?

If you have the privilege to visit Warri, the former “oil city” of Nigeria in Delta State coastal Southern partand ask about the organisation that calls itself “Escravos,” it will not take you too long to find out who they are and where they assemble regularly. You will be told a lot of stories but unless you happen by sheer serendipity to meet a member who would either not tell you anything or who will inform you of the astronomical greatness of the group including its “proud” anti-colonial, pro-democracy and freedom fighting exploits, you will not get a real feel of the group.

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Wole Soyinka and Military Forgiveness?

Wole Soyinka and Traditional Forgiveness?

Wole Soyinka and Traditional Forgiveness?

After innumerable citizens indigenous to Lagos and the South-West region in Nigeria roundly criticised traditional ruler Rilwan Akiolu, the Oba of Lagos. For his unfortunate ‘warning to the Igbos.’ One should be impressed that there is hope in Nigeria even though not immediately convincing. The warning the Oba meted bordered on vicious tribalism and tribal cleansing. It provided an opportunity to witness social and political maturity and sensibility in the entire South West that is alive, sensitive and robust. Wole Soyinka, a South Westerner himself. He is Nigeria’s most influential intellectual cum human rights activist. He did not say a word.

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