There were five of us that headed for the stream that hot afternoon. Mixed-raced Chibu, who came in from Abuja the week before – who would rather whistle strange-sounding tunes and giggle than participate when [...]

Driving down from the island to the mainland was unusually crazy. Every other Friday, the human and vehicular traffic was more likely in the other direction – from the mainland to the island. The obvious [...]

Zainat laid stomach-down on her bed, watching a pornographic movie. It was about 11 a.m. that weekday. She had lectures that morning, but she did not feel that was as important as the meeting she [...]

I was seven years old, when I learned how not to be told To politely say “no thank you”; to a cup of bubbly coke, so cold. But aunty Hafsat kindly beckoned, so I searched [...]

I am gazing aimlessly out of the window next to my bed, watching the heavens cry tears that I cannot. Memories flood my mind: a disturbingly dark mosaic of inadequacy, humiliation, neglect and malicious voices. [...]

What keeps you sane?What motivates you?What makes you happy?What gives you satisfaction?Is all that enough? What are your deepest fears?Its been badIts been scary. What is the essence of living?Why do we have dreams,hopes and [...]

Strapped heels, lacy corsets, g-strings, nude bras and perfumed bodies, all part of what was going to be the embodiment of the clubs tonight. Tara looked at her face in the mirror over and over [...]

First published HERE Yesterday, I had a rather interesting Internet chat with another writer friend based in Aberdeen. The chat was a spill-over from a text message he sent me earlier on during the week [...]

(A State of Temporary Madness) My heart sings in songs of doubtsAsking questions in gypsy tonguesIn spinning turns do my thoughts singAs i ask me questions that Heaven says i do not seek. The day [...]

8 The interior of the bank was a cool respite from the scorching heat outside. Sam walked to the water dispenser, gulped down three cups of blessedly cold water, and smacked his lips with pleasure. [...]

The sun smiled with intense pride, a very hot afternoon. Outside, a hen basked on the carpet grass, together with two of her seven chicks. I think she was teaching them something. And they seemed [...]

LONG BEFORE THE FINAL WHISTLE He never wanted to be Governor.  Providence, cloaked in the habiliments of strife between the sitting Governor and his much–favoured deputy, catapulted him to the front burner of the state’s [...]

He is known for his eye-catching big head. He proclaims it is filled with wooing lyrics and intellectualism… He calls himself ‘Sexy Johnson’, and claims to have a collection of accolades from many of his [...]

It is my last night as a bachelor and I am drunk and dancing with all sorts of women. There are fat women, slim women, short women, tall women, fair women and dark women for [...]

“Your works are aggressive always prompting readers to want to rebel, and do you think your readers will ever want to go that road? Why don’t you just entertain the minds of your writers, let [...]

Dear Mark, It took more than pain, courage or determination, but frustrations at everyday happenings for me to eventually swallow my pride and sacrifice my souciant time to pen this few lines. Like I always [...]

In a large luxurious room, far removed from the chaos and turmoil painting our nation’s soil red with freshly spilled blood, sat the absent relaxed leaders of the various fighting sections.

This is from a piece I wrote in October 2010 for some competition I clearly didn’t win. I hate essay competitions. Especially when I’m not winning… ************************************************************************* Dear Sir/Ma, Right now, it really sucks to [...]

SOBRIETY ALL AROUND CHIEF CALABASH INCAPACITATED CHANGE BECOMES EXPEDIENT DUBIETY OF CHANCE,A NATION’S DESTINY…

heart bleeds for the one to love oral cavity couldn’t hold the deep affection search entangles with destiny as destiny becomes destination hope said to tarry a while rose not ripe to be plucked friendship [...]

5 Where do I keep this money? was Sam’s question. Should I take it home? No, he just left the place. They would know something was up, and come snooping around, and by the time [...]

On the day that I saw the world.

For the first time, frightening, I so feeble,

So wide and big and filled with people.

I, weeping for the loss of the cocoon that shielded,

They, rejoicing for the gain of a one so awaited.

Minutes tickled,

I watched with joy

Our conversation, the first

I could not understand

Not the first, but a first.

Where is my thought?

My crush! My fault? Not sure,

The colour of the day was red. Red is also the colour for tragedies-and of blood spilt all over the bathroom floor. How fitting. St. Valentine’s day-love’s day and tragedy, and folly all rolled in [...]

Women of Africa, please listen up with pride.

Who ever said that beauty has a standard

has never seen an African Violet in full bloom.

Our palms may not be soft and smooth

as whipped butter but they testify to our

daily labour of love for our own and others.

He could
actually be caring o, but i don’t
like his attitudes, he shouts at me
in public, and the other day he
even beat me,

50 cycles have come and gone
50 seasons under the sun
Suns have risen and set
Life and taunting death
Strifing peace and gentle war

Dear self,

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen we had a heart-to-heart chat.

I know you’ve been through a rough year and there have been many changes.

Like the ending of your four year long relationship, graduating from school (though long overdue),

EPILOGUE [The stage is now cleared.  There is nothing on stage except a bench, and three women sitting on it dressed in black sackcloth, clutching their bellies, JOY, OLEH and MEG.] MEG I do not [...]

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The blazing mid-day sun had morphed into the orange orb that heralded the evening and still the figure under the dwarf palm tree sat. Neither the billows of dust that swirled in the air, tossed [...]

3 The interior of the car was blessedly cool, and it was much more beautiful on the inside than on the outside. So much more. Man, Sam thought, money is good. “What is the meaning [...]