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Ẹmindin

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Tomorrow, the 15th of June, and on the same day each year, my community celebrates the arrival of the New Yam. It is a special day when the first harvest of the new yam is officially presented to and eaten by the traditional ruler of our community. It is a day of thanksgiving and a celebration of the harvest that comes after twelve months of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice by our farmers. The traditional name of the New Yam is “Ẹmindin.” When a tuber of the new yam arrives in a home, everyone present touches the yam with a finger and, with that same finger, touches their chest and says: “Ẹmindin mo ri wọ me tu ku.” This translates to: “New Yam, I have seen you; I will not die.” This beautiful tradition expresses gratitude, hope, and the joy of welcoming a new season of abundance. This painting is my tribute to the hardworking men and women who, despite the many challenges they face, continue to labour tirelessly to ensure that food is placed on the tables of their fami...
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An Unfinished Harvest

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There was a time when fear ruled my voice. It was not the fear arising from ignorance. It was not the fear from lack of knowledge. Ironically, my greatest burden was knowing too much and saying too little. For years, I carried within me a vast body of thoughts, of experiences, of questions, and of convictions about life, about humanity, about politics, about justice, about suffering and pain, about faith, about culture, and above all, about the complicated beauty of the human race and existence. In private conversations, words flowed naturally. Ideas connected effortlessly and seamlessly. But the moment an audience appeared, something invisible tightened around my mind and imprisoned my voice. Fear is a strange kind of philosopher. It does not always scream. It sometimes  whispers asking dangerous questions such as: “What if I fail?” “What if I forget my words?” “What if they judge me?” “What if my voice trembles?” “What if I am not enough?” What makes fear powerful is ...
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A Celebration Of The Annual New Yam Festival

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This painting carries my artistic identity, rich in cultural symbolism, storytelling, movement, colour contrast, and ceremonial royal procession. The central figures, adorned in traditional regalia and beads, represent leadership, continuity, and ancestral pride, while the surrounding dancers, drummers, and community members embody the spirit of collective celebration. The crowned pillar rising in the background symbolises enduring authority and cultural resilience. The painting is an abstract impressionist representation of the annual Ogidi Day Cultural Festival held in June of every year. It is in celebration of the New Yam, The painting is my contribution towards the preservation of the beauty of African heritage and reminding viewers that culture is not merely remembered, it is lived, performed, and passed from one generation to another.
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The Power of Reflective Self-Examination: From Socrates to SWOT Analysis and Biblical Teaching

There are strong connections between the philosophical concept of self-examination as defined by Socrates, the SWOT analysis used in business management, and the scriptural teaching on self-evaluation. All three are fundamentally exercises in reflective assessment aimed at growth, improvement, resilience, and survival. Socrates taught that “the unexamined life is not worth living,” emphasising the importance of honest inward reflection as the foundation of wisdom and meaningful living. In a similar way, SWOT analysis, the examination of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, enables organisations to evaluate their current condition, understand their environment, and make wiser strategic decisions for future progress. Biblical teaching equally places great importance on self-examination. The Scriptures repeatedly encourage believers to evaluate their hearts, actions, motives, and faith to ensure alignment with God’s will and teachings. Passages such as “Examine yourselves ...
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The Song of the Wandering Stranger

One morning, shortly after I started primary school, I stood beside my mother as she finished frying akara (bean cakes) for sale. It was my duty to hawk them around the village before going to school.  As I waited, I suddenly noticed a young handsome man walking slowly along the main road. He was completely naked, tall, about six feet in height, dark-complexioned, and perhaps between eighteen and twenty years old. As he approached our house, he stopped, turned toward us, and began to sing. Ẹsin ta ta ta oku o Eniyan rin rin rin o sọ nu Ko ma soun to 'ju ori ri o Oni suuru lo l’aiye Which translates roughly as: The horse kicks and kicks until it dies. Human beings walk and walk until they are lost. There is nothing the eyes have not seen. Only the patient truly inherit the earth. He repeated the song several times. Just as he finished singing, a lorry approached from the western side of the village and stopped very close to where he stood. A woman quickly jumped out of t...
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Self-examination

Philosophy begins with the courage to examine oneself. It is the quiet but profound art of asking questions, not merely questions with easy answers, but those deeper questions that challenge the mind and awaken the soul. The most meaningful questions in life are often those beyond complete human understanding, for it is through such inquiry that the mind expands and wisdom is born. True self-examination revolves around three important dimensions of human existence. First are questions about people: how we relate to others, how we treat them, and what influence they have on our lives. Second are questions about place: where we are today, where we truly belong, and whether we are moving in the direction we ought to be going. Third are questions about things: our needs, desires, ambitions, and the endless tension between what is necessary and what is merely wanted. A life without self-questioning easily becomes a life lived on autopilot. But a reflective mind,  one willing to pause, q...
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Governor Ododo: Between Loyalty and Leadership

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A very close friend of over 50 years, from another part of Nigeria, recently asked for my opinion on the current Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo. I responded without hesitation, drawing from what I have heard, read, and observed about him, as well as his performance in office so far. My impression is that he is an honest and well-intentioned gentleman with a sincere desire to improve the condition of Kogi State and uplift the lives of its people. He appears humble, respectful, and genuinely concerned about governance and development rather than political drama. One quality that stands out strongly is his loyalty to his mentor and political benefactor. In many ways, this reflects admirable character, gratitude, and consistency. However, excessive loyalty in politics can sometimes become limiting, especially when a leader is expected to exercise independent judgment and establish his own identity. What may presently appear to be a strength could, over time, also b...
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