CHARLES ANYASI ...VINTAGE ARCHIVES: THE PRIZE OF MORAL WEAKNESS (IV)

CHARLES ANYASI ...VINTAGE ARCHIVES: THE PRIZE OF MORAL WEAKNESS (IV): "In the conclusion to the four-part series (The Prize of Fanaticism), I made a projection into 1983, likening it to a Pandora’s Box, partic..."

THE PRIZE OF MORAL WEAKNESS (IV)

In the conclusion to the four-part series (The Prize of Fanaticism), I made a projection into 1983, likening it to a Pandora’s Box, particularly for journalists whose pens had been badly stained with the vile contents of the brown envelope.

The story is scarcely different today. Lest than 25 days to the General Elections, the media is rife with genuine and cooked up reports of political activities nationwide jostling for space. This is even as political leaders are busy hindering opposition from campaigning within the homesteads of incumbents.

Zealots are hauling explosives into campaign grounds maiming and killing the innocent.

Once again, it is important to plead that we stop, ponder and act wisely. Fanaticism in whatever hue or colour will do us no good. Let us make our votes count.

Lest we forget…CHANGE IS HERE.

CARTOON CORNER

Leopold Senghor of Senegal was one of Africa’s most intelligent leaders of his time. On December 31, 1980, he made a mark by voluntarily retiring to give way to Abdou Diouf. The cartoon posted today was published in the Daily Times soon after he announced his retirement at peace time. Does someone know Gadaffi? Please tell him to take heed.

Lest we forget…CHANGE IS HERE

CHARLES ANYASI ...VINTAGE ARCHIVES: CHARLES ANYASI ...VINTAGE ARCHIVES: THE PRIZE OF F...

CHARLES ANYASI ...VINTAGE ARCHIVES: CHARLES ANYASI ...VINTAGE ARCHIVES: THE PRIZE OF F...: "CHARLES ANYASI ...VINTAGE ARCHIVES: THE PRIZE OF FANATICISM (II): 'In the last post, I brought to you the first in the four-part series; The..."

THE PRIZE OF FANATICISM (III)

“Like Gadaffi of Libya, he was always accompanied by a retinue of fierce-looking security men, armed to the teeth. Jones was an enigma”

The above was part of my declaration in the third installment of The Prize of Fanaticism published in the March 7, 1982 edition of Sunday Concord which I serve you today. Jones committed suicide after compelling virtually all his followers, save for the few that managed to escape, to die through the forcible administration of potassium cyanide.

About a decade after that horrendous affair, Gadaffi is on the throes of political suicide, pursued like a mad man by his own people. But unlike Jim Jones, Gadaffi is miffed by his inability to command suicide, at this hour, over the masses he bestrode for over 40 tempestuous years.

As Nigerians head for the polls in April, the onus is on the electorate not to negotiate a Gadaffi with their precious ballots. Now is the time to screen all the candidates with a readiness to dump the opportunists at the polls. Let your vote count.

Lest we forget…CHANGE IS HERE

CARTOON CORNER

Today’s cartoon, published in the Daily Times in the early 1980s, is a mockery of the Federal Character syndrome.

Enjoy your day.

CHARLES ANYASI ...VINTAGE ARCHIVES: THE PRIZE OF FANATICISM (II)

CHARLES ANYASI ...VINTAGE ARCHIVES: THE PRIZE OF FANATICISM (II): "In the last post, I brought to you the first in the four-part series; The Prize of Fanaticism, mirroring the dogmatic spirit with which so..."

THE PRIZE OF FANATICISM (II)

In the last post, I brought to you the first in the four-part series; The Prize of Fanaticism, mirroring the dogmatic spirit with which some Nigerians pursue life. Today, I bring to you the second installment with the case study of Jim Jones of Guyan who orchestrated the Guyana Tragedy in which a total of 909 inmates of The People’s Temple committed suicide on the orders of their leader.

CARTOON CORNER

Nigeria, the acclaimed Giant of Africa has contended with several oppositions in the past. Today, the hostility, even within Africa, has not abated. Instead, it is on the increase. Today’s cartoon was published in the Daily Times about 30 years ago.

CHARLES ANYASI ...VINTAGE ARCHIVES: FANATICISM

CHARLES ANYASI ...VINTAGE ARCHIVES: FANATICISM: "“In our country are evangelists and zealots of many different political, economic and religious persuasions whose fanatical conviction ..."