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WHO ARE YOU?
We often talk of three ethnic groups: Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo.
But in reality we are a lot more than these.
Do you belong to any of the following 371 ethnic groups in Nigeria?
If not write your ethnic group here and tell us the state in which you are classified.
OGUN ABIBIMAN
Artist: Moyo Okediji
Title: Wole Soyinka’s OGUN ABIBIMAN
Medium: acrylic on canvas
Date: 2018
Awam Amkpa
ENGLISHMAN IN BENIN CITY 1981 (Part Thirty)
“My he—he—he=aler at the psychi-psychi-atric hos—hos—hos–pital made me sw-sw-sw-ear never to have a con—con—con—con—con-fron-front-tation again with Miiiiiiiiisster Ru—ru-rufus,” Obaseki was whispering to me, from under the table. “Says he-he-he will bring me back back in.”
“It’s okay, Obaseki,” I said. “You come out and sit here at the table. I will go and see what’s happening.”
“Don’t, don’t, don’t leave me, Mo-Mo-Moyo,” Obaseki pleaded. “Please- plea-se-stay-stay-stay-don’t—don’t go….”
“It’s alright, Obaseki,” I assured him. “Whatever the matter is, we will get to the very bottom of it today. This is really ridiculous!”
I’m 63 today.
I’m 63 today.
Feeling more like 6, maybe even 3.
Vulnerable, yet invincible.
Excited, yet introverted.
Old, yet never felt younger.
MY GOD IS STRONGER THAN YOURS
If you got up early enough, you would catch Anti Toyosi bathing at the back of the Face-Me-I-Face-You building in which I grew up in Ile Ife. Her husband, a sign-writer, would still be fast asleep.
But Anti Toyosi always got up early to prepare rice that she sold to school students as breakfast before they went to school.
MY PHONE RINGS
My phone rings and, recognizing the name of the caller, I pick up the call. It is the wife of a friend living in Nigeria. I say the usual, “Hello,” but there is no response. There is a faint conversation in the background. She is discussing with her friend.