Review by Olatoun Gabi-Williams Up until “A Woman Alone”, I had not read any of Bessie Head’s books. The image I carried of one of Africa’s finest writers was not of a producer of literary works but of a mixed-race woman in a black-and-white photograph. Her swarthy face would be matronly were it not for Read More…
Culture & Arts
Lagos Government shuts eight nightclubs for safety violations
The Lagos State Government has taken decisive action by sealing eight nightclubs and event centres in both Ikeja and Victoria Island. This move is a response to various safety violations and is in alignment with the government’s commitment to public safety, as articulated by Mr. Lanre Mojola, Director General of the Lagos State Safety Commission. Read More…
‘A Sunday Affair’ – A messy love triangle drama with mixed results
“A Sunday Affair” is a film that’s best described as a mixed bag. It embraces chaos in its storytelling, which can be both its charm and its downfall. The narrative revolves around a web of infidelity and complex relationships, where cheating is the central theme, and moral dilemmas take a back seat. This approach adds Read More…
Exploring the Dark Heart of Lagos: A Review of “Lagos Noir”
Lagos Noir, meticulously edited by Chris Abani and published by Akashic Books in June 2018, is a captivating anthology of thirteen stories that takes readers on a literary journey into the heart of Lagos, Nigeria. With 224 pages of evocative prose, this anthology introduces readers to a city with a population of over 21 million, Read More…
Infiltration of the Blues: A Vibrant Celebration of African Artistry with Sachi Hani-Okoroafor
The brilliant curator and artist Sachi Hani-Okoroafor’s exhibition “Infiltration of the Blues” is a testament to the life and variety of contemporary African art. This collection of over 70 paintings and sculptures, brought to life by 13 dynamic young artists, offers a fresh perspective on the multifaceted nature of the African experience. The exhibition, which Read More…
Courage & Character: A colourful and rich narrative of Osun State history
By Chido Nwakanma History in exciting colours is one of the main attractions of Courage & Character: The Definitive History of Osun State. The 460-page tome comes in an arresting coffee table format, enabling it to incorporate valuable and rich primary and secondary sources in books, articles, and letters that provide a comprehensive overview. The Read More…
Two transformative books of faith: Abisola Gabi-Williams’ spiritual journey
By Olatoun Gabi-Williams To view it as beautifully written prayer guidelines would be to undersell its 249 pages. From the Acknowledgements, Preface, foreword, and Introduction, through the 14 chapters, epilogue, references, and End notes, what the author, Abisola Gabi-Williams, has produced is an inspired tapestry of doctrine combined with a prayer manual and fused with Read More…
Transformative Harmony: Weird MC’s Journey through Music and Spirituality
In the vibrant mosaic of Nigeria’s music landscape, one name stands out as a true maverick, seamlessly weaving together genres and cultures to create something entirely unique. Adesola Idowu, better known by her stage name “Weird MC,” has carved an indelible niche for herself as a Nigerian music icon, rapper, and songwriter, despite her roots Read More…
Baring Desires: Navigating African Femininity and Sexuality with Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah
Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah, a Ghanaian feminist, humorously acknowledges her current predicament: “I’m experiencing the lowest level of sexual activity in my life,” even as she bursts into laughter. Despite this ironic circumstance, Sekyiamah has emerged as a recognised authority on sex, particularly among African women and the diaspora. Over the past decade, she has built Read More…
How JP Clark Led Achebe and Soyinka To IBB
Writing is fighting. That is the dictum of the fiery African-American writer Ishmael Reed who wrote a book entitled Writing is Fighting. Whether taken literally or otherwise writers fire bullets with words, and in some instances actually take up guns to go shooting. A landmark example was Nigeria’s most influential poet, Christopher Okigbo, who died Read More…