Biafra

Banning History In Nigerian Schools

Post author:Grimot Nane Zine
Post published:June 20, 2017
Post category:Governance Institutions Social Crisis
Post comments:1 Comment
Reading time:5 mins read

..Banning History In Nigerian Schools

One may wonder who within the Nigerian Ministry of Education orchestrated the removal of the History [of West Africa] as a subject from the national academic curriculum several years ago. Many have claimed that the removal was to hide the ‘darkness of the Civil War’ and to quell potential tensions it might harness. Has it worked for contemporary Nigeria? We know it has not. The Muslim-dominated North defeated Christian East in a very bloody and savage conflict that claimed millions of lives. And they want the people to ‘forget’ by robbing them of a significant component of their educational freedom? History is ultimately a reflection of the handwork of leaders for all posterity, and they know it. Agnotology does not often work enduring, and it has limits.

(more…)

Biafra in the Mid-West: A Missing History?

Post author:Grimot Nane Zine
Post published:June 14, 2016
Post category:Social Relations
Post comments:4 Comments
Reading time:4 mins read

Biafra in the Mid-West: A Missing History?

If one asks the everyday person from Edo or Delta States, which make up the now-defunct Mid-West region or Bendel State, or anyone from the rest of Nigeria who Albert Okonkwo was, probably much less than 1% would know the answer. Many would ask why they should know who Albert Okonkwo was in the first place. But why not? (more…)

Origins of an Opintar

Post author:Grimot Nane Zine
Post published:May 5, 2015
Post category:Musings Social Crisis Social Relations
Post comments:0 Comments
Reading time:22 mins read

Origins of an Opintar

“Birds got something to teach us all; About being free, yeah; Be no rain… Be no rain…” – Gil Scott-Heron, from the lyrics, I Think I’ll Call It Morning

I proclaim myself an Opintar sometimes. Opinterity is the closest I know to freedom and joy. It is part aspiration, part practice. Many think Opintar is a fun name. Or of vernacular because they cannot google it. Or the vanity of one gnawed by rough illness many times. It is none of these. Opintar describes my lot in life and my journey compass. Ordinary is the life of an Opintar. (more…)