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‘Yours sincerely’ at 70: Over 45 years of association and friendship

On 3:35 amIn My World, Newsby

Bunmi Sofola, author of ‘Yours Sincerely,’ one of the longest running columns in Nigerian journalism, turned 70 last Monday—you’d think she would be a great deal more judging from the length of years that column has been running. She celebrated it on the day with the fun and panache that is typical of her persona. Small but classy, it was an occasion that had veteran colleagues, including at least two powerful newspaper publishers and longstanding friends coming to celebrate her.

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CBN

Making a statement

On 5:23 amIn My World, Newsby

I got a subtle compliment from an unlikely source last month. It was from a lady in the front office of a bank’s branch I have used for years. Most of the staff there are usually friendly and polite in a distant way, and that suits me fine. No non-official conversation of any kind apart from polite enquiries about home and family. I didn’t expect anything different this time especially since I had gone to lodge a protest and demand a refund. I had used my ATM card at a neighbourhood pharmacy store. Funds which were denied on the counter were later found to have been debited to my account. It was what Fela would have called ‘double wahala for dead body’ because I still had to find cash to pay for my purchase.

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Making a statement

On 12:45 amIn My Worldby

I got a subtle compliment from an unlikely source last month. It was from a lady in the front office of a bank’s branch I have used for years. Most of the staff there are usually friendly and polite in a distant way, and that suits me fine.

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slave, cycle

The vicious cycle of slave rearing

On 5:53 amIn My World, Newsby

Economic migration did not just start today or yesterday. The holy book gave an account of how the Israelites got to Egypt. It was an economic migration. They were free born people, who migrated to Egypt in search of food and survival because their leaders squandered their resources during the years of plenty. Egyptian leaders on the other hand understood the economic cycles of bursts and booms, and prepared for the proverbial ‘rainy day’—or sunny and barren days as the case was at that time. Economic migration is more often than not, a manifestation of bad leadership.

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Betrayers of the North in this season of betrayals

On 3:42 amIn My World, Newsby

Let’s start with the literal. Tomorrow is Easter, the day Christians mark the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Yesterday was Good Friday, the day He was crucified. The preceding Thursday called the Holy Thursday, was the day of the Passover which all Jews were obliged to celebrate. Jesus celebrated it with His disciples in the Upper Room in Jerusalem—I have been there before and wondered how that small place was able to accommodate a banquet table with at least 12 disciples. But that’s a story for another time. This was where He symbolically offered His body and blood for the salvation of mankind with that famous declaration of: ‘This is my body…’ which has since formed the kernel of: ‘The Holy Communion’ in all Christian churches irrespective of denomination. This was also where a bosom friend, a confidant, a companion, a disciple, one who dipped his bread in the same soup bowl, finally showed his hands. That Holy Thursday was anything but holy. It was a day of serial betrayal. Judas, first betrayed his friend and master with a kiss. Peter, the man around whom Christianity was later built, then betrayed Him with denial, once, twice, three times. The other disciples, including the two who wanted to be with Jesus permanently in His Kingdom, betrayed by running away. The silent supporters of Jesus within the Sanhedrin, betrayed with acquiescence or silence. The crowd which just a few days earlier, had shouted, ‘Hosanna to the King’ now shouted ‘Crucify Him’ almost with the same passion. Some of them might have been people who witnessed the miracles of Jesus. Or might even have been beneficiaries. Yet, they betrayed Him when they turned their backs. Pilate, who had the authority to set Him free betrayed Jesus by handing Him over to his accusers. It was the season Jesus was stripped naked physically and spiritually. It was the season of betrayal.

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NURTW

Day Lagos honoured a respected son

On 4:07 amIn My World, News, Trendingby

A certain politician who sees  himself as personifying Lagos, was said to have made a comment years ago, when he was still directly running the state. After a hard day’s job attending to the affairs of Lagos, with its intrigues and power play, this man allegedly got up, stretched his arms and torso before announcing to those in his company that he was tired and wanted to go to bed. Nothing is wrong with that. However, his alleged choice of words did not escape the notice of those in the room and possibly the entire state in its import. ‘Ore Eko. Ekofelo’sun.’ (Lagos is tired. Lagos wants to sleep).

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The election in my backyard

On 1:14 amIn My World, Newsby

Politics is primal. It is intrinsic to all Homo sapiens. Wherever two or three are gathered together, whether at home or in the office; whether at the club or in church; there you will find Mr Politics. What determines the kind of politics played is not necessary how high the stakes are, but what the rules of engagement stipulate and the character of the players. Especially the character of the players.That is why politics varies from situations to situations and countries to countries. Some will follow the rules. Some will manipulate the rules. Some will be civil while some will be vicious irrespective of the stakes. In any case, the importance or otherwise of the stakes is in itself, subjective. It depends on what stock the contestants put on influence, money, position and ego.A good example of the subjectivity of stakes is the biblical Mr Jacob who demanded his twin brother’s birth right  because of a mere plate of porridge and Mr Esau his brother, who readily agreed to the terms.

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