My Name Follows Me is a story of the untold effects of names given to men on their initiation into fraternities. The story tells of Evo, a young man who unwittingly joins a university campus grown fraternity and finds himself in continual hopeless circumstances because of his new identity. (more…)
Nathaniel Oyelola Rejects Davy Jones Locker
A strange event floated into my quiet space like an aimless freak and stuns me harder than a shockwave. The indigo lights had come on indicating a great personality or deity is ready to visit Davy Jones Locker for some unpur knownpose or is it unknown purpose. Then the light went out, making my eyes fall to the ground then return to its sockets with a little dust that itched them. Such a one-in-a-billion chance event had to be a cancellation or an error. I was worried. (more…)
Pirate-Captain Entities and Democracy
There is a keen fascination among young men, most at leading schools and universities around the world, with the “captain-pirate” mode. Its germ is of rebellion or disobedience against the injustices and excesses of the status quo in society. It is not surprising. The literal meaning of a pirate and the piratical life is one of thieves and the means of thieving, respectively. Its contextual significance is in fraternal orders of young men and is consanguineous with the metaphor of Robin Hood. Stealing from the rich or powerful to give to the poor. The young or seasoned pirate, as he swears a solemn oath at his initiation, under the guidance of his captain, thus becomes an agent of social justice in society. Political means not excluded. (more…)
Alagba Aligbi: Yankiomelogbish! How now? You self na hard man O! Person no dey see your headlight again. Are you okay?
Yankius: Gba Gbi,nothing do me. Anytime I see you na something you find come. Can I help you?
Alagba Aligbi: I been dey go my father-in-law 60tth birthday, I just branch to see you. The man has tried for me. Ehe! You dey Ogbons?
Yankius: Wetin be Ogbons? (more…)
Fraternities are Viruses in Nigeria 12
“We are bigger than U.S. Steel” several members of UCGFs (University Campus Grown Fraternities) in Nigeria will tell you, with aplomb, about their “brotherhood”. Do not take such folly serious. It is evidence the ‘mask of sanity’ fraternities have fallen off the cliff that once held them so high. However, now they see themselves as large facsimile corporations. Just as on LinkedIn, you will see corporations that have thousands of employees. UCGFs make favourable comparisons with such organisations based on their thousands of members. Yet are viruses. (more…)
Fraternities are Viruses in Nigeria 11 – Slavery?
To be in a UCGF (University Campus Grown Fraternity) member in 2017 under the terms and conditions they operate in recent times is unusual. Of their free will, you become a slave unless you are a “Slave Master” or his favoured client. The fight to be a slave master is the goal of many an unwitting ambitious UCGF member or rookie, except where does it get them? (See: Nothingness: Fraternity Ladder Ambitions http://wp.me/p1bOKH-zC). (more…)
Fraternities are Viruses in Nigeria: 9 – Silencing
The existence, approaches, and attitudes of the UCGF in every day matters as well as unusual ones are bifurcated in many senses. Probably the worst form of bifurcation most visible is the conduct of the leadership of UCGFs in their attitudes towards freedom of speech. Especially criticisms or critiques. In keeping with their “advertised” ideals, tenets and intentions, the leadership of UCGFs find it very easy and desirable to make audacious press releases. Press releases that brazenly critique or question the failures, incompetence, and crimes of the government of the day. But are equally extremely punitive and vindictive towards their members who are brave or naïve enough to point out theirs. What is the place of ‘freedom of speech’ in the traditions and culture of UCGFs? (more…)