Dem Dey Go Once upon a time Some people come together Made a plan, took a chance Agreement between one another Dem dey go Dem dey go Dem dey go Dem dey fight Dem dey quarrel Dem dey go One silly the other sneaky the other sleazy I tell dem if them no wan gree make dem scatter Go their separate ways We are born And then we’re gone Nobody lives forever It’s alright and then it’s not Freedom is a kind of prison I can see the future Oh, I can see Where the people…
Author: Prince Charles Dickson PhD
I can’t hide myself I don’t expect you to understand I just hope I can explain What it’s like to be a man It’s a lonely road And they don’t care ’bout what you know It’s not ’bout how you feel But what you provide inside that home Yeah, I know this life can really beat you down, uh You wanna scream but you won’t make a sound, uh Got so much weight that you’ve been holdin’ But won’t show any emotion, as a man, that goes unspoken That we can’t cry when life gets hard Unconditional love for women,…
More than 10,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli armed forces in Gaza since 7 October, nearly half of them children, according to the most recent report by spokesperson for the Gaza Ministry of Health Dr Ashraf Al-Qudra. Over 25,000 others have been injured, with thousands still buried under the rubble. Meanwhile, Israeli tanks have begun to encircle Gaza City, whose population was 600,000 a month ago but whose neighborhoods are now largely vacant due to the desperate flight of its inhabitants to Gaza’s southern shelters and due to Israel’s killing of thousands of Palestinian civilians in their homes. Israel…
Introduction Nigeria, a diverse nation with a rich tapestry of religions, has witnessed periods of religious tension and conflict. In such a complex social landscape, interfaith dialogue and religious freedom play pivotal roles in nurturing harmony, tolerance, and social cohesion. This essay delves into the significance of interfaith dialogue and religious freedom in Nigeria, highlighting their worth in fostering a peaceful and inclusive society. Understanding Nigeria’s Religious Diversity Nigeria is often described as a religiously pluralistic society, with a significant population of both Muslims and Christians, alongside various indigenous religious practices. This diversity has the potential to be a source…
Verse 1) Dis December… We no go chop rice, e scarce for pot, For dis Naija, e don dey too hot, Hardship dey bite, we don chop pepper, For dis economy, e be like say na suffer. (Chorus) We no go chop rice, we dey hustle every day, I hope say tomorrow go bring better pay, Naija people strong, we sabi survive, Even when life tough, we dey stay alive. (Verse 2) Election promises, we don hear many, But for our pockets, penny no dey, No light, no water, roads dey spoil, We dey hope say one day,…
Is life a freak accident, with no explanation, no reason, and no one to blame? Is it random? Reminds me of an elderly couple, who were childless, but fond of their neighbor’s daughter and used to take her to the beach every Sunday to have fun. December, 26th 2004. A tsunami occurred, it was the last they were seen of. The young girl was sick that Sunday and couldn’t go. Was it her fortune or misfortune that she got ill that day? One can only realize the outcome of a situation in the future. Is everything part of the design,…
In the ever-evolving realm of public service, the true measure of leadership lies not in words but in actions. It is indeed a rarity to find an individual whose tenure at the helm of an institution leaves an indelible mark, one that turns it into a powerhouse of growth and development. Sir Joseph Ntung Ari is one such extraordinary leader, whose remarkable journey as the Director General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has been marked by colossal achievements and an unwavering commitment to national development. Taking the reins of ITF in 2016, Sir Joseph Ari embarked on a path…
The person with the crossbow thinks that the monkey is not clever; the monkey is clever, but it is following its strategy. (It matters nothing if one is derided, as long as one knows what one is doing and why.) Over the years certain key issues have confronted the Nigerian state, its government, the governed, and the structures itself, from a seeming lack of system to a lack of will and direction from those saddled with the responsibility to steer the ship of governance. Such is the fundamental nature of the problems that they have become part of us. However,…
The original title of this musing is How do you stop manufacturing poverty in Nigeria, I got the kicker from conversations with HRM Sanusi in his take on relationships with China and our leadership Humpty Dumpty with a crazy idle population. I, however, will not exactly tow that line, and this is not about China but also about China. So, I will tell us a true story in a Chinese manner of a man who wants to be boss, but cannot be, he trains, struggles, and tries to do everything but all to no avail. He lives the illusion that…
The affection distorts the perception. The Master used to talk about it often. One day his students got an amazing example, proving those words. They heard the Master talking to one mother. “How is your daughter living?” “My dear daughter! She is so happy. She has a wonderful husband! He gave her a car, bought her jewelry that she dreamed about, and hired servants for her. They serve her breakfast in bed, and she stays in bed until noon. He’s not a husband, but a prize!” “And how’s your son?” “My poor boy! He married a real grouch! He gave her everything…
Akì í mú ìbọn tetere. One does not hold a gun carelessly. (Always be careful in handling dangerous matters.) What about the hope What about the promise you made to the poor How you gwan joke How you gwan vote What about the hike in the And the levy now the man he can’t cope Now the man smoke To hide away from all the pain So he no drown from a boat Or hang from a rope How you gwan choke a man down and then tell him say Let the poor breathe You hold a man down…
Nothing ever becomes real until it is experienced. Even a proverb is no proverb to you till your life has illustrated it. — John Keats, letter to George and Georgiana Keats The first ten minutes of your morning impact the day’s tone and your attitude. Consider this scenario: You wake up to your alarm, already frustrated. You stayed up way too late the night before and are paying for it. As you roll out of bed, your mind begins calculating all you need to do. Feeling overwhelmed by everything on your list, you shuffle into the kitchen only to find an…
Nigeria has a lot of issues, for instance, who do you blame for immigration officers wearing slippers or flip-flops with their uniforms at the airport, or Uber drivers accepting trips and proceeding to charge you higher than the app for an offline trip? For us to get the country we want, we have to change our mindset—Osi_Suave In the country of Armenia, in 1988, Samuel and Danielle sent their young son, Armand, off to school. Samuel squatted before his son and looked him in the eye. “Have a good day at school, and remember, no matter what, I’ll always be…
In Walter Isaacson, Steve Jobs, we are told the story of Abdulfattah Jandali who ran a Mediterranean restaurant in California. He was a Syrian immigrant, balding and intelligent, with fierce eyes and round, wire-rimmed glasses. After coming to America, Jandali earned a PhD in economics. He got a job as a professor at the University of Michigan. He began dating a woman named Joanne, and she became pregnant. But despite his brilliance, Jandali was a flawed and restless man. So, with Joanne still pregnant, he abandoned both his family and his career. The baby boy in Joanne’s womb was given up for…
Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi, the designer of the Nigeria flag (Green/White/Green), takes a bow from this world. God bless his soul as he rests in peace. I believe in Nigeria. I believe in its people and the diversities that define such people—Chris Kwaja A brand is a multifaceted concept that represents a combination of tangible and intangible elements associated with a product, service, organization, or even an individual. It is a unique identifier that distinguishes one entity from another in the eyes of customers, stakeholders, and the public. On many occasions, a brand has made a nation, and in instances, a…
His Grace Ambassador Salika Dasa Adhikari and Prince Charles Dickson PhD Introduction Substance abuse remains a significant public health concern with far-reaching consequences for individuals, families, and communities worldwide. In Nigeria, this issue is particularly pressing, affecting people of all ages, backgrounds, and social strata. To combat this problem effectively, a holistic and community-based approach is required. Religious leaders, as influential figures within Nigerian communities, can play a pivotal role in addressing substance abuse through their guidance, teachings, and support systems. The Influence of Religious Beliefs on Substance Abuse Behavior The world can be divided into two categories: the knowledgeable…
Let me start this essay in this manner…and do please be patient with me, I make good my word that it would be worth reading. A young and pretty lady posted this on a popular forum: Title: What should I do to marry a rich guy? I’m going to be honest about what I’m going to say here. I’m 25 this year. I’m very pretty, have style and good taste. I wish to marry a guy with a $500k annual salary or above. You might say that I’m greedy, but an annual salary of $1M is considered only middle class in New York. My requirements are…
A friend and I were texting today about how our mornings had not started well. She had lost her keys and subsequently missed both a dentist appointment and a work meeting. I had placed an important form in a “safe place” and then could not remember where I put it. The longer my friend and I kept looking for these items, the more flustered and upset we became. As time dragged on, my friend’s worries grew. What if she did not find her keys? Had she thrown them away by accident? Getting a replacement key fob is not easy nor…
Allow me to commence this piece, or rather, this admonition, with a tale. A man was suspecting his wife of infidelity, so he decided to go to his village and consult a juju man. The juju man told him to come back in two weeks bringing along some sample of sand from his yard. So, the man went back after two weeks with the sample of sand. The juju man threw several cowries on the floor, chanted and performed his rituals and said to the man…”I don’t know if you can handle hearing this. The man said go ahead. I…
In a shocking twist of events, a prestigious luxury hotel recently welcomed a new VIP guest that has undoubtedly set the hospitality industry abuzz. Say hello to the hotel’s uninvited but determined guest – the rat! While most hotels strive to attract high-profile celebrities and dignitaries, this fine establishment seems to have taken a rather unconventional approach to hospitality. Gone are the days of red-carpet welcomes for Nollywood stars and royal, and political families; now, the hotel staff must be on their toes to ensure they offer the same level of luxury to their furry intruder. Will the rat demand…
“If only…” These two words paired together create one of the saddest phrases in the English language. In the end, more than anything else, we regret the small chances we didn’t take, the priceless opportunities we were too busy to nurture, and the good decisions we waited too long to make. It made for a thrilling 48 hours as we meandered around the theme, Accountability Journalism: Nurturing Innovation for a Sustainable Future – with The Center for Journalism Innovation and Development CJID providing the platform towards enhancing accountability journalism for a sustainable future, at the very first West Africa Journalism…
The worst part of a society manipulated by politics is to see the poor defending the rich who are responsible for their poverty. There was one man called Femi in Ibadan, 98 year old Baba Femo, he was alleged to have made pregnant a 19 year old girl, an allegation he blatantly denied, he insisted that he was not responsible, he wasn’t the person. The matter went to the court, he brought a lawyer called Nkiru to defend him. In court, the barrister said, “My Lord, this man can never make this 19-year-old pregnant”. The judge said, “Counsel can you prove that.” She said, “Yes, I can prove that”. And to further…
The longest road you’re going to have to walk is from here to here. In June the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Solutions Network published its Sustainable Development Report 2023, which tracks the progress of the 193 member states towards attaining the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). ‘From 2015 to 2019’, the network wrote, ‘the world made some progress on the SDGs, although this was already vastly insufficient to achieve the goals. Since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020 and other simultaneous crises, SDG progress has stalled globally’. This development agenda was adopted in 2015, with targets intended to be…
Reviewed By Prince Charles Dickson PhD “A System and A People: Exploring Tradition, Economy, and Cultural Resilience” Introduction: “Igba Boi: Profit and Prejudice” is a thought-provoking and compelling book that explores the complex intersection of profit-seeking and prejudice in contemporary society. Written by a talented author, the book delves into the challenging dynamics of capitalism, discrimination, and social inequality. With a captivating narrative and sharp analysis, the author takes readers on a journey to examine the consequences of profit-driven motives and the pervasive impact of prejudice on individuals and communities. In this case the Igbos! It is a compelling and…
Being the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) Chairman in Nigeria and of course a Nigerian school with Nigerian parents and management can be a rewarding and challenging experience. It involves serving as a bridge between parents, teachers, and the school administration to ensure effective communication, collaboration, and the overall welfare of students. For me, it was six years of exciting learning experience, and my apologies, I am not going to talk about the Mmesoma Joy Ejikeme and JAMB Saga, but I will share my journey, an adventure, we could all learn a few nuggets. Some key aspects of the role and…
One day a professor entered the classroom and asked his students to prepare for a surprise test. They waited anxiously at their desks for the test to begin. The professor handed out the question paper with the text facing down as usual. Once he handed them all out, he asked his students to turn the page and begin. To everyone’s surprise, there were no questions, just a black dot in the center of the page. The professor, seeing the expression on everyone’s face, told them the following, “I want you to write what you see there.” The confused students got started…
To teach without training is to fail in your task, can anybody learn to play football by reading books? No. What happens when a man goes to a football training camp? Do they all go to the library? I’ll guarantee you not. Watch a man as he trains his hunting dog. It’s amazing. We train our dogs and don’t train our kids. Then tie the dog up at night and let the kids run wild. We are to train them. Listen, lead them. What do you want your children to be? Do you know what all of the emphasis is…
The leper said two things, one of them being a lie; he said after he had struck his child with his palm, he also pinched him severely with his fingernails. Many years ago, in a small family reunion I was invited to, I watched as a father narrated a movie to the kids, unknown to him, the kids had viewed the same film. He went about mumbling the story line, while the older ones feigned attention, one of the younger ones just blurted out…”Daddy it’s a lie”. I am writing this on yet another day that marks the ‘Fathers’ Day’.…
After several days, on weeks, the lion had tried all he knew and the hunt was not getting any result, he sought the help of the goat and the dog, he told them he believed that together that they would be successful. And they embarked on a fresh hunt, sooner than they had started, they got their reward as a team, and the lion instructed that the goat share it into three equal parts, and the goat did so with calculative precision, no mistakes whatsoever, before you could whisper proper—The lion pounced on the goat and the goat was meat.…
Hullabaloo of Nigeria’s democratic transitions By 1983 the army had struck and aborted the 2nd republic but here we are, the 10th Assembly will soon resume, and it’s been 24 years of a hullabaloo democracy, many are not happy but we are making some form of progress, there’s been no martial music. Despite the heated controversies in Lagos and other places, the death toll as a result of gun throttling ballot snatchers reduced, the magic figures of the Kardashian states also have reduced. However, we still have a marathon in our hands but sadly we are building on some shenanigan…
