Column No.6: Out of the (in)box again

This column debuted in August, and now, four months later, I have again rummaged through my inbox and read the emails sent by readers. Once more, I have decided to share some of them with you. Again, it wasn’t easy sifting through and editing some of the messages, and curating the ones you’re about to […]

This column debuted in August, and now, four months later, I have again rummaged through my inbox and read the emails sent by readers. Once more, I have decided to share some of them with you. Again, it wasn’t easy sifting through and editing some of the messages, and curating the ones you’re about to read, but I hope you find them as interesting and instructive as I did. Thanks, and see you again next week with yet another hot-button topic.

– Abdulkareem

 

Re: Abuja to Kaduna, first time in a long time

I really enjoyed your column which had you telling us readers about your trip to Kaduna. Strangely, I wasn’t going to write about it, even though I enjoyed it a lot. But it eerily sparked some parallels with what’s currently going on in that axis. But what you may not want to admit, even though most Nigerians know, is that roads can be fixed. I mean, there’s money for that, perhaps in abundance even. But the will to do so? Not so much. Even the banditry issue which recently resurfaced in a most nasty way, can be solved. But again, there’s no will. We don’t have leaders, just dealers (notice my wordplay?). Anyways, maybe when people like you write more about these issues, more will be done. Thank you, and more power to your pen.

– Sunkanmi Smith, Ilorin.

 

Re: Dealing with mental illness the Nigerian way

Whenever Nigerians try to speak about mental illness, it reveals how far we need to go as intellectuals or as 20th century dwellers in world that is always expanding in knowledge. So imagine my delight when I finally read something about the topic that’s well-written, and smartly put. What I want to say is thank you for bringing the issue to light in a respectful, incisive way. Maybe one day, we as a people will recognize mental illness for what it is, an illness, and not some mystical mumbo jumbo nonsense. Then we will have conquered it, even if only halfway.

– Okey Ikechukwu, Kano.

 

Re: #EndSARS protests and lost opportunities

I really didn’t care for your article on the #EndSARS protests. I felt like you sided with government, even if you did it ‘with style’. But as you have a platform like this, you should know that you have a responsibility to be balanced and fair. Yes, you condemned the authorities, but it wasn’t as harsh as it should have been. Do better next time, please.

– Sherifat Usman, Kaduna.

 

Re: Ouagadougou’s amazing amazons and other Burkinabé stories

What I love about journalism is the opportunity you people always enjoy, of travelling around and widening your scope. From your writing, I can sense a person who has been around the world widely. I have always wanted to travel to the African nation of Burkina Faso, and your column only made me feel like doing so more than ever. I can also sense that you’re holding back a bit, not telling us everything. I hope that means you’re going to continue sharing the ‘gist’ with us gradually as time goes on. Thank you very much sir.

– Hassan Yahaya, Kano.

 

Re: ‘Nigerian physics’ and the most-hated minister

I hated your piece on the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, because it’s obvious you have a crush on her. Why else would you make her look like a smart, strong woman of integrity and values? Very few in the current administration’s cabinet are respectable, and she’s not one of them. I don’t think I’ll ever waste my time reading your rubbish column. Goodbye.

– Eugene Chukwukadibia, Gwarinpa, Abuja.

 

Re: Rawlings, IBB, OBJ, Buhari and an unforgettable encounter

I have been trying to recollect where I read a brilliant interview in the past with the late JJ Rawlings, so when I read your column recollecting it, I was immediately reminded, as well as very happy. His views on IBB, OBJ, and Buhari are instructive about the kind of so-called leaders we had and currently have. Thank you very much for humanizing someone who is as much-loved as he is much-vilified like Rawlings was. I wish you had written more on him, though. But all the same, thank you.

– Nasiru Mohammed, Abuja.

 

Re: Rawlings, IBB, OBJ, Buhari and an unforgettable encounter

Your article on the iconic JJ Rawlings of Ghana was very, very interesting. I love that over a decade after your interview, you still found it pertinent to share the behind-the scenes details with us. That’s what I like about this column: You always share something new. More grace sir.

– Sani Mohammed Shehu, Tudun Wada, Kaduna.

 

Re: Rawlings, IBB, OBJ, Buhari and an unforgettable encounter

Honestly speaking, Africa has had more than its fair share of great leaders. JJ Rawlings was one of them, and it’s really sad to be reminded of his mortality. He was truly legendary, with greatness that spread across the continent, beyond his native Ghana. However, your article didn’t do the man justice. You could’ve listed more of his achievements and failings. But I understand you don’t have enough space for that. Also, I want to thank you for offering to send a PDF of the actual pages from years ago. I received them promptly, and I read them, enjoying them thoroughly. I’m looking forward to your next installments. Thank you, and God bless.

– Oghene Franklin, Abuja.