Peter Palmer Ekeh

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Dr Joe Abah: Two Experts, Two Bureaucrats

ByGrimot Nane Zine

Dr Joe Abah, the Director General of Bureau of Public Service Reforms and academic, in very casual style unwittingly or knowingly re-triggered a limited exchange on one of the most contentious controversies in modern intellectual history; what is the role the intellectual in society? The triggering sardonic comment by Dr Abah (@DrJoeAbah) on Twitter yesterday said “How to become an “expert” [1] in Nigeria: Be jobless; go around TV stations & beg to appear on ANY programme; criticise all govt actions. Done!” Of the many replies he got [most of them friendly] one by Mark Spencer (@Ack_Spencer) which was equally sardonic read “How to become an expert, sign up as media influencer visit all radio &TV station[s] hailing govt inefficiencies and cluelessness”. This is really the flashpoint of the controversy. However, the contention Dr Abah triggered is one many avoid because of the unexpected possibilities it can generate. Read More “Dr Joe Abah: Two Experts, Two Bureaucrats”

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James Ibori’s Guaranteed Innocence and the Blessing of Tribalism in Nigeria

ByGrimot Nane Zine

When I read the article titled ‘The Welcome Party for Ibori’ by Simon Kolawole, it was thought-provoking journalism considering the context of Delta State’s ex-Governor, James Ibori’s much-celebrated release from Belmarsh Prison, London, England. Many Nigerians mostly see Ibori’s celebrated release by mostly people from his home state of Delta as a national disgrace and most rightly so. However, when you consider Nigeria’s history of convictions for corruption, many who complain about Ibori’s smug prison release may simply be tribalists who would do the same if “their man” was convicted and eventually released. The real crushing national disgrace for Nigeria is that it still cannot convict her Big Thieves in her courts and rely on foreign governments to convict “selected” offenders. Yet, Nigeria celebrates Independence. Read More “James Ibori’s Guaranteed Innocence and the Blessing of Tribalism in Nigeria”

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Institutions, Habits and Learning Applied Science in Schools

ByGrimot Nane Zine
gcuoba
Institutions, Habits and Learning Applied Science in Schools
By
Grimot Nane
 
Written for Government College Ughelli Old Boys Association UK Annual Dinner, Paddington Hilton, London on the 27th August 2016
 

The difference between pure science and applied is incredibly huge when one considers their usefulness to society. Pure science is mostly cerebral and experimental but applied science is of important practical use to society. Technological know-how, medical understanding, microscopic explorations, extra-terrestrial conquests and superstition minimisation are all the dividends of applying science to all manner of problems encountered by human beings.

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The Lion and The Jewel: Soyinka’s Most Enduring Work?
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The Lion and The Jewel: Soyinka’s Most Enduring Work?

ByGrimot Nane Zine

Today is the 80th birthday of Wole Soyinka. I may not be a fan of his but his work and achievements have their own stories.

Written in 1962, the play The Lion and The Jewel is probably Soyinka’s simplest and least-known work but it will perhaps turn out to be his most enduring due to its evolving contemporary relevance. It is also one of the outstanding works from post-colonial literature to come out of Nigeria, if not the entire Commonwealth. Read More “The Lion and The Jewel: Soyinka’s Most Enduring Work?”