Essays Archives - Page 3 of 19

·October 5, 2024·8 min read

Idris Elba or Chiwetel Ejiofor: Who should play Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart? – Toni Kan

...the arguments for or against Idris Elba or Chiwetel Ejiofor playing Okonkwo fail to take into account a key issue with the novel and the character of Okonkwo. When we meet Okonkwo, he was about 37 or 38 years and by the time he dies, might have been no more than 42. So, Elba and Ejiofor at 52 and 47 years respectively may well be too old to play Okonkwo

Essays

·September 15, 2024·14 min read

Finding the nexus between Popular Nigerian Literature and Nollywood — Uzor Maxim Uzoatu

And it all seems to have come full circle. The town of Onitsha which was popular for market literature has caught the Nollywood bug. The most popular address on any movie jacket is 51 Iweka Road, Onitsha.

Essays

·September 15, 2024·13 min read

Mohbad: One Year After, Questions Remain – Toni Kan

MohBad stamped his foot firmly in the Nigerian musical firmament with the release of his song, Ponmo, a risqué and infectious ditty featuring Naira Marley and Lil Kesh. It opens with a reference to a woman’s vagina and then trundles downhill from there. The streets loved it. The salaciousness , the lewdness and the seeming panting of rabid dogs after Ponmo which is shorthand for you-know-what.

Essays

·August 25, 2024·4 min read

4 Verses for Tam Fiofori who did not come to this world to faff around – Deinbofa Ere

Tam lived in his soul; wholly, for the cackle at the end of his laughter. Those who heard it knew it. He lived for the sheer joy of his work and others. Oh his work, for which he suffered, for which he tortured himself. He did not quite believe in how f-cking good he was. He sought perfection that did not exist. He discarded what others would keep and he had a great fear of success; of the opulence and attention and grief it brought.

Literary Essays

·August 11, 2024·5 min read

Adulting as a wannabe writer – Aroh Anthonia Ifeoma

You will write long letters home, letters that will never make it home, because if your mom ever reads them, she’ll tell you “come back home, omo mi, at least there is food in your mother’s house ”. And she will nag you until you do, even though you do want to.

Essays

·August 4, 2024·3 min read

I remember the day Onyeka Onwenu lost her cool — Uzor Maxim Uzoatu

The sonorous songstress Onyeka Onwenu has just passed, but my duty here is to add the human angle to the legend of the goddess. Onyeka Onwenu, inimitable singer, ace broadcaster...

Literary Essays

·July 28, 2024·4 min read

In Things Fall Apart: Who is the hero between Okonkwo and Unoka? – James Eze

The profundity of these presumably simple words of consolation combines effectively with his wise saying about the sun to bestow the toga of an unsung philosopher on Unoka, thus setting the stage for endless dialogue on his character.

Essays

·July 21, 2024·4 min read

My Guru Tam Fiofori departs — Uzor Maxim Uzoatu

Sad news hit me hard on Tuesday, June 25, in this year...

Essays Interviews/Profiles

·June 30, 2024·6 min read

Four deaths and no funeral – Toni Kan

Tam Fiofori, who hailed from Okrika was born in 1942 and would go on to distinguish himself as a polymath; photographer, writer, journalist, artist manager and raconteur who could hold you spell bound for hours with riveting tales of escapades and encounters around the world.

Essays

·June 30, 2024·5 min read

Tam Fiofori writes on Protest Music in Nigeria from Fela to Eedris

On the global music scene Protest Music is as old as music itself; a medium that lends itself as an easy and enjoyable means of mass communication. Most popular musicians have one or few songs that can be classified as Protest Music while some make a trademark of it.

Essays

·June 23, 2024·3 min read

Colonial “dependency syndrome” and the Case against Nigeria’s “new” anthem – Yinka Adetu

By clinging to this anachronistic anthem, Nigeria unveils a disconnect between its past and present, neglecting the opportunity to forge a unifying national identity that truly reflects its people's hopes, dreams, and realities.

Essays

·June 5, 2024·4 min read

My mourned soulmate Pita Okute — Uzor Maxim Uzoatu

I am in tears as I write the words here. It has been shattering for me on hearing of the passing away of my ever rendering soulmate Pita Okute whose...

Shaitan: Telekinesis and Arodan Review – Michael Kolawole

On “Auracle”, Shallipopi is an Oracle with a cool aura – Michael Kolawole

Tems’ Love Is A Kingdom: A Gentle Reign of Love and Doubt – Michael Kolawole

Hymar David’s Memoir Is A Brave Manifesto for Self-Discovery & True Grit – Sima Essien

Psychobabble Inc.: A review of Chude Jideonwo’s “How Depression Saved My Life” — Akumbu Uche

A Master Storyteller: ‘BackHomeAbroad And Other Stories’ by Pede Hollist – Akumbu Uche

“UDO”: The short film that asks, what is your love language? — Precious Nzeakor

Wizkid: Long Live Lagos: A Meditation on Legacy and Endurance – Michael Kolawole

Uchenna Ugwu’s “I Too, Crave Death” Tackles Depression and Suicide – Michael Kolawole

Unpacking “Once Upon an Elephant”: A Stage Experience by Peaklane Drama Troupe – Peju Akande

“Dear Kaffy” is a riot of laughter and a river of tears – Peju Akande

LAMDA’s production of James Baldwin’s “The Amen Corner” interrogates Christian charity – Toni Kan

Biodun Jeyifo… A Man of Letters departs — Sola Adeyemi

Our Best Essays and Reviews of 2025

Orchestra of Fishermen of the Country: The compelling oeuvre of Chigozie Obioma — Uzor Maxim Uzoatu

Who will emerge victorious in The Nigeria Prize for Literature 2025? — Terh Agbedeh

Elsie Is Bringing Music Conversations to Our Doorsteps From Lagos to Toronto to the World – Onyema Dike

Adrien Brody’s “Red Chip” revolution beyond the box office

I try to find that sweet spot between substance and form — Michael Afenfia

Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art opens exhibition exploring how art is made

Afrobeats Intelligence” returns for a 5th season

National Theatre to stage Easter opera “Disloyal Judas”

Essays

Idris Elba or Chiwetel Ejiofor: Who should play Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart? – Toni Kan

Finding the nexus between Popular Nigerian Literature and Nollywood — Uzor Maxim Uzoatu

Mohbad: One Year After, Questions Remain – Toni Kan

4 Verses for Tam Fiofori who did not come to this world to faff around – Deinbofa Ere

Adulting as a wannabe writer – Aroh Anthonia Ifeoma

I remember the day Onyeka Onwenu lost her cool — Uzor Maxim Uzoatu

In Things Fall Apart: Who is the hero between Okonkwo and Unoka? – James Eze

My Guru Tam Fiofori departs — Uzor Maxim Uzoatu

Four deaths and no funeral – Toni Kan

Tam Fiofori writes on Protest Music in Nigeria from Fela to Eedris

Colonial “dependency syndrome” and the Case against Nigeria’s “new” anthem – Yinka Adetu

My mourned soulmate Pita Okute — Uzor Maxim Uzoatu

Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art opens exhibition exploring how art is made

Afrobeats Intelligence” returns for a 5th season

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