The Return of Pen Talk: Unleashing the Power of the Pen for a Better Kwara

Fellow kwarans, I’m delighted to assert that Kwara State is blessed with abundance of talented youths, and I firmly believe that the state’s future is bright and on the path to prosperity. Unlike some regions where youths hinder each other’s progress, reminiscent of crabs in a basket pulling each other down, Kwara youths are making tremendous strides. Our WhatsApp platforms where we argued and provide solution to burning issues in the state, and “Play with Kwara Youths”, are testament to this, where we discuss issues pertinent to the state and foster a sense of community.

Last Sunday’s gathering, where we celebrated Chief Executive Officer Basheer Luqman’s launch of Kwara Express, further exemplifies this. It was a heartwarming display of love and admiration, showcasing the collective joy and pride we take in each other’s successes. This milestone adds to the growing list of Kwara youths excelling in online media, a clear indication that our state is poised for greatness.

We must not let politics divide us. It’s just a temporary phase where people hold political offices, and suddenly their names are everywhere, surrounded by security. But before long, they’re out of sight, as if they never held power. This serves as a reminder that political authority is short-lived. Rather than clinging to positions that can vanish overnight, it’s more valuable to focus on building lasting relationships with others. I’m grateful for the celebration last Sunday, where we gathered to mark Unique launch of Kwara Express. May we always have good things to celebrate with each other, and may our connections be stronger than any political affiliation.

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Sorry for my preamble, let me go straight to the business of the day, as I launch my weekly column today, Pen Talk, with Kwara Express, I’m reminded of the origin of this name and the incredible journey that has brought me here. The nickname “Pen Talk” was coined during my days at Federal Polytechnic Offa, where my passion for writing earned me recognition. With pen in hand, I’ve been privileged to share my thoughts, insights, and perspectives with the world.

As a weekly columnist with National Moonlight Newspaper, I’ve had the opportunity to analyze critical issues. One notable example is the expose on the desecration of Muslim cemeteries in Ilorin, where enemies of progress were exhaling dead bodies for ritual purposes. I brought this to the attention of the then Commissioner of Police, advocating for enhanced security measures across the state. Furthermore, I proposed that the state government integrate Muslim students who graduate from Islamic schools into basic education to teach Arabic or Islam, as many ended up establishing ‘Ile-Kewu’ or becoming Alfa, which only afford them to earn meagre salary that not enough to take care of their needs.

Thus, in my Pen Talk column during my seven years with National moonlight newspaper, I penned an open letter to the then Rector of Kwara State Polytechnic, Elelu, urging him to reconsider the announcement of school fees increments amidst Nigeria’s economic recession. I highlighted the plight of local government workers who were owed several months’ salaries in 2016 when Nigeria economy was in recession, and warned that the fee hike would spark protests among students. My warning came to pass, as students took to the streets, marching from the school gate to the Post Office, Challenge area and to the Government House in Ilorin. In response to the unrest, the Rector eventually reversed the decision, restoring the school fees to its previous amount. Through my open letter, I demonstrated the power of advocacy and the impact of constructive criticism in shaping decisions that affect the community.

My column also shed light on the bravery of Abakyari, who apprehended robbers at Orange Filling Station in Tanke, and their subsequent launch of a sting operation in Ilorin, targeting their worship center before embarking on operations. I equally wrote about the Offa robbery, challenging security operatives to step up security in Kwara State.

Notably, I also wrote about the Olofa of Offa’s inspiring entrepreneurship venture, where he established a poultry farm in Ikorodu, Lagos State, with an initial investment of 300 million naira. This piece was motivated by an interview granted by the Olofa to my Senior colleague in journalism, Auntie Romoke W. of Daily Trust Newspaper. I was inspired to share this success story to showcase the potential for economic growth and development in our region.

Thus, I’ve established myself as a voice for the voiceless. My writings have predicted outcomes, like the “Otoge” movement prior the 2019 election, when the APC was embroiled in crisis and the 8th Senate President, Senator Saraki, contemplated leaving the party, after many of his loyalists defected to PDP, I predicted that he would lose control of the state’s political structure. I cautioned many of my friends in PDP, recalling the 2003 election where former Governor Lawal lost his second time due to his rift with his godfather, Baba Saraki, despite having control of party in the state but not have the support of the then president Obasanjo. I emphasized that federal power is crucial in winning elections in Kwara State, unlike in the South-South and Eastern regions where regional and religious politics prevail. In Kwara, the dynamics are reversed, and federal power plays a significant role.

In 2017, I accurately predicted the outcome of the local government election in Kwara State, foreseeing Comrade Esinrogunjo’s victory in Ilorin West. However, I also cautioned that he might not be declared the winner, which would lead to protests across the state. I warned that this could escalate into a larger protests and potentially causing aggrieved party members to become more defiant and later resulted to Otoge, and ultimately, my predictions came to pass.

In my Pen Talk column, I issued a timely warning to the then Chairperson, Hajia Omodara, against demolishing shops at the New Market (Oja-Tuntun) to build more shops at the car park. I cautioned her that this move would generate controversy, spark protests from traders, and ultimately have far-reaching implications for her party in the 2019 election. My words proved prophetic, as the controversy unfolded exactly as I had predicted. This experience underscores the power of the pen and the role of columnists as visionaries who foresee and forewarn of future events.

I’m thrilled to share my literary journey with you. My first book, Frantic View of an Accidental Vendor,” a compilation of my articles as a columnist with National Moonlight Newspaper, was launched in December 2021 at the Kwara State NBA. My second book, “My Random Thoughts: A Wake-Up Call to the 10th KWHA,” was launched last December, assessing the performance of the 9th KWHA and setting an agenda for the 10th KWHA to deliver the dividends of democracy to Kwarans. These thought-provoking books are still available and a must-read for every Kwarans.

Reflecting on the #EndBadGovernment protests last August, which caused crises and unrest in some Nigerian states, I’m compelled to ask: What have we learned from it? How can the government build trust among Nigerians to forestall future protests? These questions drive my current project, my third book titled “Voice of Change: Lessons from August Protests in Nigeria”. I invite you to join me as I launch this book on December 29th of this year, just three months from now. Together, let’s spark meaningful conversations and inspire positive change.

The phrase ‘Pen is mightier than the sword’ rings true for me. Many notable individuals, like Femi Adesina, Garuba Shehu, Dr. Reuben Abati, Chief Dele momodu,Segun Adeniyi Our own Mallam Lanre ISSA Onilu, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, and Alhaji Lai Muhammad just to mention few of them have used their writing skills to shape their careers and contribute to national development.

Through Pen Talk, I aim to continue sharing my thoughts, experiences, and observations, with the goal of educating, informing, and inspiring my readers. I’m excited to embark on this new chapter with Kwara Express and look forward to engaging with you, my valued readers, every week to revive my popular column, “Pen Talk,” where I’ll share insights on community development, expose corruption as deputy coordinator of an Anti-corruption civil society organizations in Nigeria for good seven years, and other issues affecting our community.

God bless Nigeria and Kwara state.