The recent beef directed at Chimamanda Adichie following her open letter to President Biden on the Nigerian election is disappointing. While her words were truthful and lacked any lies, the negative backlash seems to be fueled by her advocacy for women’s rights and feminism especially in Africa(specifiaclly Nigeria.)

It’s disheartening how some scholars and educated individuals have turned her sincere words into a battle, while there is no fault in literary criticism, these comments and views lack criticality and even going as far as comparing her to Wole Soyinka. This behavior is unbecoming of individuals who should be setting an example for the rest of society as intellectuals.

It’s equally disappointing to see educated individuals inciting tribal wars between Soyinka and Adichie. The propaganda being pushed by ill-informed illetrates and individuals is only serving to worsen the already fragile ethnic tensions in the country. It’s time we recognized that our differences should not divide us but rather unite us in the quest for a better Nigeria. We should strive to create a society where individuals can express their opinions and advocate for their beliefs without fear of backlash or hate. We should strive to create a society where we can have constructive dialogue on pertinent issues without resorting to hatred and tribalism.

“Gangs of Lagos” has gained popularity. However, popularity does not always guarantee quality , and this is the case with this movie. While it is true that the movie has some positive elements, overall, it falls short of expectations.

One of the major flaws of “Gangs of Lagos” is its excessive use of bloody and violent scenes. While it is understandable that the theme of the movie is centered around gang violence, the level of violence portrayed in the movie is unnecessary and excessive. The constant portrayal of gruesome killings and bloodshed becomes tiresome and does not contribute significantly to the plot or character development.
Another issue with the movie is the use of celebrities who appear in just a few useful scenes. While it is common for movies to cast celebrities for marketing purposes, in the case of “Gangs of Lagos,” it feels like a mere ploy to draw audiences. The few scenes that feature these celebrities do not add any significant value to the plot or character development, and they could have been easily replaced with lesser-known actors.

In another disappointing light, the movie fails to live up to its hype. It pales in comparison to other gang-related movies like “Shanti Town” and “King of Boys.”

The movie does reflect the bad politics in Lagos, but it leaves the audience hopeless regarding the state of politics in the state. The film offers no solution to the issues it presents, which is a major flaw. While the cinematography and soundtrack are noteworthy, they do not make up for the lack of substance in the movie. The movie is a mere shadow of other past gang movies, and it fails to leave a lasting impression on the audience.

In terms of the plot, “Gangs of Lagos” fails to impress. While the premise of the movie is interesting, the execution is lackluster. The storyline is predictable, and there are no significant plot twists or surprises. The characters lack depth, and their motivations are not well-defined, making it difficult for the audience to connect with them emotionally.

Despite its flaws, the movie does have some positive elements. The cinematography is well-done, and the use of colors and lighting is effective in creating an ambiance of tension and danger. The soundtrack is also noteworthy, with catchy and memorable tunes that complement the mood of the movie.

In conclusion, while “Gangs of Lagos” may have gained popularity, it falls short of expectations. The excessive use of bloody and violent scenes is unnecessary, and the use of celebrities for marketing purposes does not add any significant value to the movie.

The lack of depth in the characters and predictable plotline further detract from the overall experience. While the movie may appeal to fans of the gangster genre, it is not worth the hype and does not stand out as a remarkable film.

The big questions to the buildup of the presidential election remains whether or not the exercise is effective or worth the huddle.
I’ve asked, I have interviewed, and I have also observed that the decision for a new Nigeria may and may not depend on the outcome of this General election.

To many, who believe the answer to the problems of Nigeria is here through the movement of one man, one political party,
who believe and are hopeful that the messiah is here and are ‘ready to take back their country’, I ask, do the destiny of Nigeria depend on the outcome of the election come 25th of February 2023? What if the election has already been decided even before it happens? With the many buts and if surrounding the elections, I sincerely have no accurate answer, so I await in earnest anticipation as you.

One question I do not find far from people these days is the question of who you are voting for? ‘Who is your choice of candidate?’.
I would rather not say just not to sound partisan or to take advantage of your time spent reading this for any political gain and individual glorification.

It is the general impression that every election ushers in new hopes for a better Nigeria, however, the question remains whether we are getting it right.
I’ve read Remi Rajis’ article, ‘I want to vote for a new Nigeria of strong institutions‘, and, no matter how hard I try to disagree with his Ideologies of a ‘New Nigeria’, (a progressive return to the days of regional governments, strong regional control, strong institutions and a consensual Centre, – a Federal system that is truly Federal), I end up agreeing that, the Nigeria’s definition of ‘New Nigeria’ simply implies a recycling of old, assumed to be young, thieving, and rebranded candidates from the old Nigeria, still operating a failed system.

Do we desire a new Nigeria or a better Nigeria now?
We have chosen ourselves three possible ‘messiahs’ cut across three political parties and ethnicities in Nigeria. But there can only be one messiah at the centre and maybe two thieves on the cross. Can’t there be?
Now I ask, who is your preferred candidate? Do you desire a better Nigeria or are still hoping for a New Nigeria?
Are you also on the fence desiring and hoping?
Time will tell.

Collins Alilonu

Doing so many things does not necessarily validate hardwork or succes.

Before now, I used to eagerly and willingly offer myself up to opportunities, offers and projects with the thought of it boosting my experience. But the truth is, the most times, I take these odd jobs out of fear that something good is going to pass me bye, hence the positivity that good would eventually come out of it.

It was too late till I realised how I spent too much time on other people’s work than I spent on myself which affected my health with constant breakdown.

Many of us are victims of this. We jump into new ideas and other peoples ideas whenever the slightest opportunity comes without minding whether or not it fulfils our goal.

Sometimes we over work and even overthink more than the owners of the idea in the first place. That has been my undoing.

These days, I’m focusing on things that makes me happier. I’m focusing more on increasing my sleep hours and prioritising my health. I’m done trying to save the whole world – Jesus already did that, and now, I’m focused on what will reduce my stress level.

So, if the job you’re bringing isn’t hundred percent certain to reduce strees in as much as it bring me dollars, I am not interested. If it doesn’t involve you working equally and in equivalent to the pay, I’m not doing.

So many employers glorify themselves with how much they pay their staff, but hide the fact they make them grind kernel with their teeth, and a Nigerian employer is ready to work out the value of your monthly salary in one day yet feels s/he is doing you a favour. You are expected to multitask as a way of proving competence and vasatility.

This year, I’m no longer overworking for anyone, who is intentionally underworking for their own business vision or goal. Not out of love, business or even the profit.

-Collins Alilonu

As individuals, we all get to that point where we no longer care about the consequences of our actions and the effects of the things we should have done, but choose not to do.

I believe I’ve gotten to this phase, and it has become my newest fear – the point of awareness about the consequences of my actions and not even care. I used to believe life should be lived up to expectations. However, through time, I realise how damning expectations can be, especially when there is disappointment. To speak on disappointment, it is easier to speak of what someone else has done or will do and the expectations that follow. I feel the worst form of disappointment is self afflicted disappointment or self-disappointment.

It is much easier to withdraw from people, punish them, or cancel and ignore hopes in them than when you’re self-disappointed – there is no running from yourself.

Aside from the disappointment of self, the closest worse is disappointment about life / the future.

Many of us reading this have at some point been disappointed about our future, maybe because of the uncertainty of clarity of what to make with our current state. I’ve come to understand the uncertainty of life and the dangers of hopefulness.

These days, most of what people say or do no longer excites me. I have come to understand that what goes up must surely come down, but what makes the difference is how high our expectations have gone before it comes watering done.

This is not to tell you to lose faith in hope. However, you should understand that some of our greatest victory can only come on the bright side of rejection.

– Collins, Alilonu

While some believe age is just a number, I see age and aging as a stage, a phase filled with responsibilities, detailed on management, where time is expensive, and measured by achievement than ability, and acceptance or rejection determined by resource.

For some, the measurements at which we have grown or outgrown are calculated by the number of things we do, hsve done, should do and should be able to do. Say for instance, the kinds of post you make on your WhatsApp status, the kinds of broadcast messages we send out, and infact, choose not to send, or the minute things such as sending out New month messages, which we find as immature.

Ageing feels like a betrayal, especially when you have a responsibility to fulfil; to others, and also to yourself. I feel the worst of all responsibility is not those targeted by family and ‘others’, but the responsibility to oneself. I feel so because you can either achieve success or not, which in all honestly gives you no trouble, only a sad look and a trophy of disappointment.

However, the responsibility to yourself requires you to be better for yourself, but when you are not, the aftermath is on you. The worst of all is you being disappointed by yourself. You then ask yourself why it isn’t working. It becomes harder to understand what your anger is or to know what isn’t working.

Whether or not it is the decision you made or your inability to live by the expectations.You begin to realise slowly that survival requires a good sense of humour rather than sleep, food, and breath, and your ability to survive depends on your in(ability) to live daily with(out) these. While you age, you begin to align your fears with the older ones on whether or not you would find a compatible wo(man) to marry or be able to achieve what your role model achieved and more. You’re expected to do better than the current and expected to achieve more than what is, and when you’re not, even when not condemned to the cross, you are condemned by age. You begin to think how you could have achieved more for someone your age, or what you could be or have been before, or as someone your age. Worse of all is the comparison with someone your age or, not being better than someone not your age.

Now, the problem is not ageing, but the expectation to grow before our age.

– Collins, Alilonu