28th March, Our Finest Hour, By Mark Ademola Israel

On 18 June, 1940, Wilson Churchill delivered a speech at the British House of Commons. This speech, Their Finest Hour, was delivered two days after the German forces recorded huge successes in France and were certain to invade Britain. "The Battle of France is over," declared General Maxime Weygand, the man who was called upon - two weeks too late - to Ward off the German invasion, when it was clear they'd lost.

Is Buhari Too Old? By Mark Ademola Israel

Some years ago an 80years old Kenyan, a man, made history when he started school. He wanted to learn how to read and write at 80. This man sat in the class with children who were younger than the youngest of his great grand children. I told my uncle he was wasting his time. But that was then, I won't say such a thing today.

Lesser Heads, By Mark Ademola Israel

In 1776, Thomas Jefferson was nominated by a committee of five, known then as the Continental Congress, to draft a statement or a declaration If you like, of independence. In the opening of this declaration, Jefferson wrote: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. . ."

Nigeria @ 54: To Celebrate or Not To Celebrate?

Today is Nigeria's National Day. Today makes it exactly 54years since the British union Jack went down and was replaced with the green-white-green flag that now symbolizes the country.

Whether Nigerians have reasons to celebrate or not depends on who the question is directed. To some, the fact that we survived the civil war and have remained one nation in spite of the many turmoils and turbulence the country has had to grapple with, is enough reason to celebrate. 

Mr President, I Need An Easter Present,By Mark Ademola Israel

Dear President,
Ordinarily, I wouldn’t have bothered writing you; you won’t read the letter anyway. Even if you wanted to, you can’t. This is because I’m not Obasanjo. I’m also not El Rufai who ruffles feathers.

I’m not in any way close to Nigeria’s top columnists in terms of quality articles. So, my letter can only be published in my blog as well as my Facebook pages. Put together, it may be read by, Let’s say 200 people, and that’s if I’m lucky.

So, Mr. President, I won’t blame you if you fail to reply; it’s probably because you didn’t see it.

Why am I writing you a letter you’ll never read? It’s simple, Mr President. We are in the era of open letters. An era born by  President Obasanjo’s letter to you. You replied the letter as promised, but Mr president, I couldn’t read your letter to the end; I got bored along the way.

I remember, as a kid, that the best time to ask for a present without getting something like, “will you shut up? You don’t know anything, yet you’ve the mouth to ask for…..” as reply was during the festivities.

So, Mr President, In the spirit of Easter, I want to ask you for a Present. It’s not much. It’s something you can do.

I want you to pretend. Yes, Mr president, pretend to give a damn!

You know, I felt insulted when I learnt you visited Kano for a POLITICAL RALLY just 24hours after at least 75 Nigerians died in Abuja park blast. You didn’t go to Kano to commission a health facility or a road-you chose, instead, to dance and merry while over 70 families and the nation at large mourned.

What kind of a leader are you sir? You couldn’t even pretend to care, even if it’s just for a week?

I’m certain you do not know much about the streets. I’m not referring to those in Asokoro in Abuja or Ikoyi in Lagos or perhaps Wellington Bassey in Akwa Ibom.
I’m referring to the real streets. In these streets, the air is polluted with generator fumes, frustrated
graduates compete for menial jobs, policemen harass the same people they’re meant to protect
etc. Over 120milions Nigerians live on this street; they feed on less than 160naira per day. They’re the reason you’re called President! Would you pretend to give a damn about them?
I live on this street too and I want you dare to feel our pain.

Although, you’re the President of all Nigerians, I’m not asking for this gift on behalf of all Nigerians. I’m really concerned about the 120milion people who live on my street.

-Mark Ademola Israel
@Ademola_israel
israelmarc@ymail.com

This article was first published in Boltupdates