Out goes Obaseki, In comes Okpebholo: Matters Arising
The Swearing in Ceremony of the New government in Edo State, Nigeria, led by Governor Monday Okpebholo, has again sparked mixed reactions from the public. On one hand, his inaugural speech outlined promising plans to tackle insecurity, improve roads,…
Esan Land is Bleeding!
The Admin of one of the WhatsApp groups I belong to – Esanmobilebarrackproject, has been dropping many disturbing videos and pictures in the last few weeks – all pointing to an abysmal failure of government both at the State and Local…
St Maria Goretti, Patron Saint of Abused Children and Rape Victims
Maria Goretti was born a poor peasant child in Italy in 1890, the third of six children. When she was nine, her family’s situation grew even worse, when her father died of malaria. Maria’s mother dutifully took her husband’s place in…
Lonely Farm Road
As I drove to the farm today, I could hear my heart pumping more blood than normal. The rhythmic ‘gbim, gbim’ made me self conscious. Was this adrenaline? My mind darted to the information I had received days ago that my parishioner was…
Kidnappers in Esan North East: The Testimony of an Ex Armed Robber
Recently, I wrote an article On Kidnappings in Esan Land, Vigilante Politics, and the role of Traditional Rulers. One of my recommendations in that article was that all hands must be on deck so that we can focus on the common enemy of INSECURITY. I…
On Kidnappings in Esan Land, Vigilante Politics, and the role of Traditional Rulers
It is clear from my topic that I’ll attempt to address a hydra headed issue here, not as an insider with exhaustive knowledge of the facts at play, but as a researcher interested in the common good and the peaceful resolution of the escalating…
WHEN WILL THIS PRIEST BECOME A BISHOP?
In a recent Facebook post I made announcing the appointment of a new rector of a major seminary in Nigeria, one lay Catholic commented, “He is carrying bishop looks already.” I read the comment, shook my head, and wondered: How does a bishop look? How do…
BLOOD ON THE ALTAR
“The Lord be with you!” The young priest said in a loud voice. “And with your spirit”, we chorused. “And May the Almighty God bless you, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” My ‘Amen’ was probably the loudest…
The glory of the martyrs – a sign of rebirth
The African martyrs add another page to the martyrology – the Church’s roll of honour – an occasion both of mourning and of joy. This is a page worthy in every way to be added to the annals of that Africa of earlier times which we, living in this era and…
CONVERSATIONS WITH AN ITSEKIRI BIAFRAN-AMERICAN
Train arrives at Union Station Chicago. I walk out to Canal Street and book a ride on Lyft to O’Hare Airport Terminal 1. The driver’s identity pops up on the app. His name is Benedict. I see his photo – a black man. He arrives promptly and stops…