Busayo Akanro – Light does not shine in light

Once upon a time there was war between Japan and China. It was quite a difficult war to fight not because other wars are simpler but because the similarities in the looks of the nationals of both countries was striking. It was an uphill task distinguishing between Japanese and Chinese. As a result, Chinese warriors accidentally shot fellow Chinese soldiers before they could ascertain their nationality and vice versa.
In a bid to make the most out of the war, the two countries called a meeting and decided to agree on some rules of engagement.
“We need to be able to distinguish between our soldiers” they said. After hours of deliberation, someone suddenly came up with a brilliant solution. (more…)

I stumbled upon this article by Gani Fawehinmi a few hours ago as I was going through the local news online. I really wasn’t surprised at the contents. Apparently, the weak government of the day in Nigeria had offered to bestow upon him a National Award, Officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (OFR) to be specific. Unfortunately for this government, no right thinking person had brought it up as an issue before he was contacted that he might refuse. If Professor Wole Soyinka and Chinua Achebe, right thinking pro-democracy icons in Nigeria have rejected such awards previously, someone should have suggested his rejection and its possible consequences.

Anyway, since nobody was thinking proactively, Gani Fawehinmi was sent the notice of intention of the government to honour him with a National Award. He therefore replied accordingly.  (more…)

I am attending a meeting somewhere in Ilorin where one of my mentors, Fela Durotoye reiterated that Nigeria by 2025 will undoubtedly be the most desirable Nation to live in. As far reaching as this is, I am absolutely certain of its veracity, not only because he said God told him so but because I sense it in my innermost being. Events that will make this possible may not necessarily be progressive, they may be instantaneous. They may not necessarily be step-wise; they may well be revolutionary. While I’ll deign to bore you with what may bring or may not bring this word to pass on this great Nation, I’ll like you to consider the report released on the 16th of November, 2008 by Merrill Lynch – a foremost economic institution in the world. (more…)

I came across this article in the newspapers while reading today and as I’d usually do, I decided to celebrate this guy as one of my own BUSAYOAKANRO.COM Heroes of the year in relation to the CNN Heroes of the year. His vision on empowerment and passion about making it happen at no monetary cost to the beneficiaries fits in well with my definition of a true hero. Please enjoy reading.

Kuti Olarenwaju Peter, is a philanthropist. A Nigerian with a big heart, he lives his life striving to bring succor to people in the shackles of poverty and make their lives worth living. His consuming passion is to see that citizens are empowered to become self-reliant. To keep this dream alive, he said he has been channeling all his earnings and resources into training of youths on entrepreneurship and skills acquisition. (more…)