FREEDOM: THE CLARION IN THE AIR

Nigerians are going to the polls in two day’s time with the CONTROVERSIAL Freedom of Information Bill (FOIB) not resolved. And so, journalists continue to operate somewhat on parole while the masses continue to be starved of vital information needed to move the nation forward. The result? Rumours upon rumours, leading to confusion.

Who is likely to bail us out after this time out? Shall we be free to express ourselves under the incoming regime? Today’s post focuses on the big question of freedom of expression. Let us pore over this as we head for the polling booths.

CARTOON CORNER

After a bitter struggle characterized with bloodshed and tongue-in-cheek round-table negotiation, the Lancaster House Accord finally produced a transition for independence for Zimbabwe in April 1980. As we march towards another April with the hope to secure our freedom from oppression, it is my pleasure to present a cartoon published in Times International Magazine soon after that declaration of Zimbabwean independence.

Let this kindle hope in us, for after the cloud comes rain.

Let your vote count. Vote wisely.

Lest we forget…CHANGE IS HERE

CHARLES ANYASI ...VINTAGE ARCHIVES: AN ENCOUNTER WITH MY GOVERNOR

CHARLES ANYASI ...VINTAGE ARCHIVES: AN ENCOUNTER WITH MY GOVERNOR: "As I promised, you may now read the suspense-packed story of my historic visit to Governor Hussein Abdullahi on January 11, 1977. My pas..."

AN ENCOUNTER WITH MY GOVERNOR

As I promised, you may now read the suspense-packed story of my historic visit to Governor Hussein Abdullahi on January 11, 1977. My passion for an Afro-centric foreign policy, strongly expressed in that visit 34 years ago, has not waned, regardless of the ingratitude of South Africa and other African countries who have returned evil to Nigeria for her motherly mien.

Verily, the harvest will not fail to materialize some day.

Lest we forget…CHANGE IS HERE

TODAY’S CARTOON:

ESCHEL RHOODIE AND THE DIRTY TRICKS DEPARTMENT

Eschel Rhoodie was the enterprising but infamous Secretary of Information whose promotion in 1972 inflamed passion in South African politics. In 1979, Roodie got his fingers soiled in some shady deals, and as a result, escaped to Ecuador, sneaked to Britain and dissolved into France where he was eventually tried, sentenced and extradited to South Africa in tumultuous disgrace.

Today’s cartoon captures my mockery of Roodie who did so much to paint a good picture of monstrous South Africa while his tenure lasted. It was published in one of the Daily Times stables.

CHARLES ANYASI ...VINTAGE ARCHIVES: FOREIGN POLICY: WHO IS SAYING WHAT?

CHARLES ANYASI ...VINTAGE ARCHIVES: FOREIGN POLICY: WHO IS SAYING WHAT?: "One feature that distinguished the Murtala Mohammed / Olusegun Obasanjo administration was her formidable foreign policy which unequivocal..."

FOREIGN POLICY: WHO IS SAYING WHAT?

One feature that distinguished the Murtala Mohammed / Olusegun Obasanjo administration was her formidable foreign policy which unequivocally proclaimed Africa as the centre-piece of her foreign policy. Not only did my youthful mind totally align with this policy, I took a practical step to demonstrate my solidarity with the administration’s resolve on apartheid.

Today’s post mirrors my preparation for a visit to the then Military Governor of Bendel State, Hussein Abdullahi, right in his office where I presented a painting of General Olusegun Obasanjo. The visit proper, which took place 34 years ago, will be posted tomorrow.

These two posts are for us to ponder; who is saying what about our future foreign policy. We must consider this alongside the internal.

CARTOON CORNER

Just as the foreign policy of the Murtala Mohammed / Olusegun Obasanjo administration received a pass mark for their foreign policy initiative, Nigerians will continue to feel the pain in relinquishing the Bakassi Peninsula during the Yakubu Gowon administration.

Today’s cartoon shows General Yakubu Gowon ceding out the peninsula to Cameroun. Let us pray and hope for wisdom on the part of whoever emerges as President in the coming elections.

Lest we forget…CHANGE IS HERE

CHARLES ANYASI ...VINTAGE ARCHIVES: THE PLACE OF PROPAGANDA IN THESE TIMES

CHARLES ANYASI ...VINTAGE ARCHIVES: THE PLACE OF PROPAGANDA IN THESE TIMES: "have not been able to lay my hands on the first segment of this two-part serial published in Sunday Concord in 1984. Amazingly, however, ..."

THE PLACE OF PROPAGANDA IN THESE TIMES

I have not been able to lay my hands on the first segment of this two-part serial published in Sunday Concord in 1984. Amazingly, however, I find the content of this article apt for the moment.

We are faced with all manner of propaganda from the media and terrorist threats from fifth columnists. This article provides a global historical perspective to these matters. Please go through and be patriotic in your response.

Lest we forget…CHANGE IS HERE

CARTOON CORNER: "TOOTHLESS BULLDOGS"

During the struggle for Universal Suffrage in Southern Africa, Zambia’s internal security was always under threat due to the presence of Joshua Nkomo’s ZAPU political organization around her territories. This often led to incessant raids from the apartheid forces. After one of such cases in 1979, I had occasion to draw this cartoon, following the apathy of the UNO and OAU. The cartoon was published in Times International Magazine.