Book Review: Transforming injustice into heroism, love, vindication, and ultimate redemption. — I’ve been into Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables, going leisurely at it since the beginning of February. Reputed to be one of the longest pieces of European literature in the English language, I, at last, finished this behemoth on June 1st. Les Misérables is simple. It is the story of an…

6 ways your phone is changing you and 5 moves to strike a balance — They are everywhere. Hardly a moment ever passes without you having to acknowledge their omnipresence. So, what was life like in the days before the advent of our shining gadgets? So much is our techno-gadget-dependence total that some of us will get into panic-mood attacks whenever we get untethered from…

A handful of lessons from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Yale University’s 2019 Class Day Speech. — It was late Sunday night. Both of us have been busy from late the previous night. The early hours of the new day of a new week were rapidly counting up. The FM radio station on the phone was on. I joined her to listen to a lively ministration from…

When joy comes for you — Just back from school, my princess walked straight into my room. On her trek back home, she had picked some pebbles for me, but I was still half asleep. Carefully, she dropped them by the laptop and left. Noiselessly. One time some months ago, her brother walked into my room…

Book Insights: Elechi Amadi takes us on a trip into pre-colonial Nigeria of the past. — The Concubine, written by acclaimed Nigerian writer Elechi Amadi, provides a preview of life in Nigeria prior to the arrival of Europeans. Just like riding or driving in a new car, reading this novel is an exhilarating experience. You and your car both feel like repeating the trip at the…

Add wise and smart to it. — Good Samaritans. Who doesn't like them? Who hasn’t heard of them? In the Holy Bible gospel of Luke (chapter 10: 25 -37), Jesus Christ told the parable of the Good Samaritan. In that story, a man fell into the hands of armed robbers while traveling from Jericho to Jerusalem. …

Take charge, create “Lists” and escape habitual doom-scrolling on social media. — Many users will not or cannot resist the fleeting glamour of social media. Nowhere is this irresistible allure more prevalent than on Twitter (aka X). Many users, like moths to a flame, addict themselves to microblogging, mindlessly sacrificing their precious time as they scroll and click away their lives. Instead…

Nigerians must stop insincere prayers if they are to move forward. — Nigerians are hyper-religious. Meet any group of them and ask about their religion. They are quick to identify as Muslims or Christians. For many, their religion is only skin-deep and serves as a means of identity. Nothing more. When it comes to practicing their religions, most of them are empty…

A delightful and promising encounter. — Following Elon Musk’s takeover, many users started their exodus to new Twitter (aka X) alternatives. Me too. Wary of putting all my social media in one app basket, Mastodon was my first alternative Twitter of choice. Registering on Mastodon was the first hurdle. I was soon granted a space on…