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On Friday, December 20th, the Borno State capital played host to an inspiring literary event as author Aisha Amdagas launched her latest books during the second Borno Books and Arts Festival (BOBAFEST24). The festival, which began in 2022, celebrates literature, culture, and art in northern Nigeria and has quickly become a prominent platform for showcasing … Read more
By abiodun KOMOLAFE I recently had the honour of visiting Ekiti State, where I embarked on a self-guided tour to explore the projects completed or underway by Governor Biodun Oyebanji. From the bustling streets of Ado-Ekiti to the quaint towns of Ikere-Ekiti, Ikole-Ekiti and Oke Ako-Ekiti, Oyebanji’s transformative initiatives have inspired optimism among residents, who … Read more
By Tunde Odesola Abomination! Market noise never drowns the marketplace. The dog never gets executed for barking, nor the ram beheaded for butting. The market takes no roll call and yet misses nobody: Ojà Òyìngbò ò mò pé énìkan ò wá. Daily, good and evil walk the face of the earth: T’ibi, t’ire la da … Read more
By Tunde Odesola The official name for cage fight is Mixed Martial Arts. Street fight, known as ‘ìjà ìgboro’ in Yoruba, is the bane of Ibadan people, says the panegyric of Oluyole, the city of brown roofs scattered among seven hills. MMA, I think, is organised street fighting. But, long before MMA became a global … Read more
In 2024, Africa experienced a momentous year filled with significant elections across the continent. Eko Hot Blog reports that these polls, which took place in countries such as Senegal, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Ghana, resulted in transformative outcomes and underscored the evolving democratic maturity in the region. EDITOR’S PICK Exploring 7 World’s Coldest and … Read more
The coldest countries in the world are known for their diverse weather conditions and harsh low temperatures, yet they are also rich in culture and natural beauty. Eko Hot Blog reports that despite their frigid climates, residents in these countries embrace the cold season by engaging in various outdoor activities such as snowboarding, skiing, and … Read more
By abiodun KOMOLAFE For those who care to know, the July 16, 2022 event marked a political Armageddon for some individuals in Osun APC. On that fateful day, their political obituaries were written; and for some, there’s no resurrection in sight. However, to honour their political memories, the party must rediscover its winning formula. This … Read more
By abiodun KOMOLAFE My experience as a Branch Internal Auditor in a now-consolidated commercial bank during the 2000s taught me the importance of accountability and oversight in institutions. In this role, I identified exceptions, assessed their impact, and recommended corrective actions. This skillset has since informed my understanding of the need for transparency and accountability … Read more
December is that time of the year that is associated with festivities, family gatherings and lots of celebrations. It is also filled with lots of spending and billing, you might have planned to do so many things, go places and just have fun, but your bank account is not just adding up to what you … Read more
By Tunde Odesola Four eyes lock in combat. Two belong to a snake. The other two belong to a former President, whose lipless mouth, pointed nose and slit eyes are snakelike, too. In a swift reversal of roles, the hunter has become the hunted, both locked in the ultimate battle. EDITOR’S PICKS Japa: Russia Opens … Read more
By abiodun KOMOLAFE “Salus populi suprema lex esto” – Cicero. The commissioning of The Wole Olanipekun Senate Building at the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology (BOUESTI), Ikere, Ekiti State, last Thursday, has again testified to the power of visionary leadership and the boundless potential of human generosity. In … Read more
By Tunde Odesola Long or short distance, life is an emotional roller-coaster journey characterised by doom or boom. Bólèkájà, a Yoruba word for mammy wagon, depicts the rough and tumble nature of road travel in the early days of Nigeria. Translated literally, Bólèkájà means ‘come down and fight’. Bólèkájà is an analogy for life’s combativeness. … Read more
By Tunde Odesola Ankara needs no introduction; it’s the capital of Turkey, an Islamic country with a 99% Muslim population. Ankara needs no introduction; it’s the name of the brightly-coloured cotton fabric popular in West Africa. Ankara is the introduction. It marks out its wearer as a guest qualified for semo and plastic bowl at … Read more
By abiodun KOMOLAFE There has been another addition to President Bola Tinubu’s media team. The president has also restructured his media team in a bid to “enhance efficiency within the government’s communication machinery.” Thanks be to God! Well, we are not here to look into the costs and benefits of this new addition at a … Read more
By abiodun KOMOLAFE Yorubaland’s royal institutions face significant challenges, threatening their traditional significance. Across the region, from Akure to Ikire and from Ikorodu to Idiroko, once-revered thrones have devolved into a chaotic game of musical chairs. Nowhere is this more evident than in Oyo, where the protracted search for a new Alaafin has become a … Read more
By Tunde Odesola As a nobody son of a nobody, I dare not caress the blade of the king’s sword with the palms of my hands. Otherwise, blood shall trail my footsteps to Ìmògún, the ancient place of skulls, where the heads of the guilty and the guiltless tumble down the hill on the king’s … Read more
By Tunde Odesola Since 1933, when it hit the cinemas in the United States, the classic movie, King Kong, has undergone no fewer than 13 remakes. King Kong is a giant prehistoric ape ruling the mysterious Skull Island, where he is worshipped by dinosaurs, plesiosaurs, pterosaurs and numerous other monster creatures. In the 1933 version, … Read more
By abiodun KOMOLAFE Ijesas are distinctive! They are known for their discerning nature and exceptional brilliance. Their rich history reveals fascinating connections. For the record, they are the masterminds behind Osomaalo, a pioneering business phenomenon in Africa. Ijesaland is credited with originating the iconic ‘Nwa Boy’ style, now a multibillion-dollar industry in Igboland. Ijesas are … Read more
The illustrious 42-year reign of Oba (Dr.) Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, the 40th Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, has come to a close. As we bid farewell to this venerable monarch, may his soul rest in peace, freed from worldly burdens! May God comfort the people of Ijesaland and grant them solace during this difficult time! Oba … Read more
To speak tongue-in-cheek is to say, “Na Baba kill Dele Giwa.” But to speak matter-of-factly is to say, “Dele Giwa was killed in his ‘gida’”. ‘Gida’ is a Hausa word for house. If you like, add ‘gida’ to Baba, na you sabi. It was a Sunday morning, almost 38 years ago, when a faceless porter … Read more