On Saturday, 9 May 1987, Nigerians went about their individual commitments and concerns. My poor self was not left out. I was billed for a journey to London for the Harry Britain Fellowship Award by the Commonwealth Press Union (CPU) which included a three-month stay in the Queen’s land. All my activities throughout the day…
On X last week, I lent my voice to an obvious turf war between two great Yoruba songsters, Davido and Wizkid. It was a typical Atatalo assuming his sole ownership of the spatial control of the Ibadan musical space while the Agboluajes, Epo Akaras deconstructed his peremptory self-awarded ownership. The two great exports to the…
Anti-graft agency Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is taunting us with another emotional roller-coaster. They are asking us to join them in navel-gazing over another sensational case of thievery by a politician. We will do that for weeks (or months) and nothing else. Meanwhile, the said politician will be rehabilitated—probably appointed to a crucial position—in…
One day, I will have the courage to ask the immaculate Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, how he feels each time he travels on the horrible Ibadan-Ife road. Ben Okri, ‘The Famished Road’ storyteller, finds his own ‘road’ a torment – he says it “leads home and then away from it, without end.” Okri…
The images of Godwin Emefiele, flummoxed as he is chaperoned by state security agents from custody to custody, from courtroom to courtroom, contrast sharply with those of the man who, as governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, bestrode, until just a year ago, the Nigerian financial and banking world like a colossus; the man who…
In late 2022, Rotimi was diagnosed with what was supposed to be Malaria which proved to be stubbornly resilient. Following bouts of unsuccessful therapy, he asked for a full health check. The results returned at the beginning of 2023 querying cancer. Further tests provided confirmation of the dreaded “C”, indicating extensive metastasis. A grim prognosis…
There are a number of factors that make something “good journalism.” One is that it’s accurate. Another is that it’s fair to the facts. A third is that it informs the public without manipulation of any kind. For example, let’s say I am reporting on the president (or the prime minister) and I don’t like…
The cardinal essence of this piece lies in celebrating amazing life and times of Mama Fasoyin as a living legend; to present history for contemporary benefits; and to preserve inheritance for the generations to come. Like King David, Mama Fasoyin remains a renowned gospel music singer with inspiring messages whose lyrics were spiced with great…
Ebenezer Obey’s flair for music was discovered while he was an active member of the school’s cultural group – the Idogo boys and girls club. He later became the leader of the school’s Church choir and also a member of the Ifelodun Mambo Orchestra. It was only to be expected that he would automatically choose…
For a literary, musical or artistic work to enjoy copyright protection in Nigeria, it must have an original character. In other words, some effort in the sense of independent skill, industry, experience or judgement must have been expended in producing the work. The question may then be asked; since the Abami Eda, Fela Anikulapo Kuti,…
