Americanah, when it was published and launched in April, I face-booked it that anyone in diaspora, including those coming abroad for the first time for diaspora lifestyle should read it. It made eloquent sense as reviewers have come to show. The entire work shows in new ways as captured, imagined and experienced by the author a vivid exploration of being African in America, and indeed, any where else Nigerians and Africans converge with their complex dreams in pursuit of more valued things of life. Americanah, a novel, is the very most recent entry by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and it is published by Random House, with…

If anyone had told me a few years ago that a time will come in Nigeria when the authorities will approve the teaching of sexual immorality as a subject in junior and secondary schools, I would have thought that the person had lost his mind. But now, before our very eyes, it is happening, and I lack words to describe the shock among many Nigerians! Not too long ago, I was shown the topics being treated under the subject called "Sexuality Education" or "Sex Education" which tender kids in both junior and secondary schools in Nigeria are now being forced…

Ejike, after our phone conversation the other day and your pointing out that you are reading Chinua Achebe’s “There was a country”, and mentioning what he said regarding the Nigerian Air force killing hundreds of market women in our Afo Umuohiagu market in February, 1969, I decided to reread the book. I began at page 212 (where he talked about the killing in our town) and read to the end, including the appendixes and then from page one to page 212. In other words, I read the entire book. I must tell you that performing this exercise (it kept me…

To be safe on the road while driving or taking a ride is a solid human right. But what is involved to make for a safe driving? How safe are road users in Nigeria and elsewhere? Here is a submission that helps to describe what to to do and expect.  Prompted as I just finished a small discussion with a friend over a beer on driving safe and staying safe on the roads that we use, I got asked out by a friend. To thank me, this friend said “Hey Pat, I cannot end this meeting with you without asking…

Understanding what human rights are is a condition we need to live with everyday. While some know what a right is and how to pursue one's rights, many others live in sympathy of their own human rights. But we can do something about it by developing best practices to exercise fair and judicious steps. I have often made references to the eminence of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations in some of my writings. But it continues to appeal to me to know that many people when they talk about human rights, they fundamentally and weakly…

When Duke Ellington was asked how it felt to enter hotels from the back and play in the front, to hear the cheers of White crowds while knowing there were precious few of his color being allowed to see him, he said, "I took all of the anger necessary to pout and wrote me some blues.”  When Bill Berry of the Urban League was asked about how it felt to do a thankless job under such scrutiny (I'm paraphrasing) he said, "Don't waste time in wondering why, I just do the hell out of my job."  Before I had a…

This is a hilarious moment for Nigeria. Of course, I am not mad. I am only reflecting on the period in time and circumstances we have found ourselves as a people. Not too long ago, Shagari was indecisive, Buhari/Idiagbon too serious and impenetrable, Obasanjo was too amorous and unforgivable. Now we have it. A serious comedian as president. Jonathan no go kill man for this obodo Nigeria! Mba. I just dey play with my tumbra of gin tonic. The weather cold pass wetin son of man fit just manage with ordinary heater. My Igala friend suddenly informed us of the…

By Mirjam Rülke This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Dear Dr. Iroegbu, Posting articles in the websites since the discovery and launching of the internet, electronic writings and publications have come a long way. This is more so at helping researchers and social networking for critical research, education and policy directions. I have truly benefitted from reading insightful articles from various experts. Particularly, I have had the pleasure to follow closely essays written by Dr. Patrick Iroegbu about issues on indigenous knowledge systems, medicine, gender and cultures. I want to highlight the fact that while it is important to appreciate articles posted by seasoned scholars and professionals,…

Great expectations are usually piled on our universities as very essential intellectual factories for the production of reliable human resources for achieving our lofty dreams and aspirations as a people. That is what it should be. Every year, the universities are expected to give the country quality graduates whose formal education and other forms of grooming ought to duly equip with sound intellectual, psychological and even ethical properties to assume very important and strategic positions in both private and public institutions for the advancement of national development. But what appears to be seriously in doubt now is whether the National…