LITERATORS' CORNER

                           Divine Punishment                                       -- Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed Once there was a young man who lived in a small village far away from the city. His name is Hussein.  He was nicknamed Stallion because of his physical appearance for he was giant of a man and was even more intimidating because of his taciturnity; he was not given to talking too much and avoided sitting and talking to anyone for too long.       The village Hussein lived contained not too many people and everyone in the village knew Hussein as one who would never deliberately harm another unless provoked.     One day, a very jealous and aggressive man called Kasim came to the village. He was surprised by Hussein's comportment.       'Such a giant of a man, yet he seems to be very peaceful and disturbs none. I shall seek his trouble and know what he is really made of.'       With these words, Kassim set about trying to upset Hussein. He tried several thin

The Nigeria Problem Explained in Chinua Achebe's No Longer at Ease                           --Ubaji Isiaka Abubakar Eazy 'If you want to eat a toad, you should look for a fat and juicy one.' ( No Longer at Ease : 5) The above proverb sums up the anathema bedeviling Nigeria, as well as many other third world countries. This anathema is bribery and corruption, it has become so endemic that it has come to be seen as the norm, nobody sees anything wrong in getting a few 'cola' (or gratification as some will like to label it) from here and there to supplement the 'little' you earn as salary. The problem persists because most of us want to live larger than our means whilst what we earn can only afford us a decent life. This problem occurs in every facet of society, and there is most likely very few of us who have never been involved in it. In fact, it has become a defining factor; visit government parastatals to obtain documents and signatures, you w

The King and the Golden Pot                                   --Nabiha Abdillahi Once upon a time, there was a king who ruled a prosperous country. The king had a beautiful golden pot which he loved so much because he got it as a special gift from his mother before she died. One day, a goat inserted its head inside the pot belonging to the king, and the head became stuck in it. When the king heard that a stubborn goat had got its head stuck in his beautiful and beloved golden pot, he became very angry. Then he called all the people in his country and told them that whoever could remove the pot from the goat's head safely would be rewarded handsomely. Everyone tried, but all efforts proved abortive. Fortunately, a man who was travelling past on a journey came and  saw the people around the king's palace. He asked them what was happening there. They told him the whole story and then he said, 'I know the solution to the king's problem'

JUDASES OF MANDATES                       --Amadi Ekwutosilam Njoku Days chameleon to weeks, weeks into months Swiftly months become years To yield yet another coterie of representathieves.  Chants of campaign pierce the sullen sky The streets bear their posters, the market places Sing their praise on the lips of buyers As the media herald their false pretence. They are the Judases of mandates Slaying our hope of yearned utopia; Men whose presences reinforce those ugly years we have bid adieu. In trust they bear our common mandates To steer this sutured vessel of scattered tribes  Into the land of milk and honey; Their words are sweet savour that clasp our charmed ears. What manner of guise have they not used Professing to be the Christs that will save the impoverished masses? They are the Judases of mandates  Driven by party allegiance and maddening greed, Great promisers of Heaven and Earth. To get into the corridor of power They b

JUNGLE             --Amadi Ekwutosilam Njoku This jungle is that land Where the future is webbed in desolate dreams And each thread of hope is dried up Like a lake cut off from a life-giving stream. This jungle is that land Where the dagger-hoofed beasts, masters of loot Trample on the frail masses, earnestly Whetting their callous knife of greed Ploughing the people's patrimony to fill their porous pockets. This jungle is that land Where impunity culture is gloried so high Because her laws are too weak to fight a just cause Where depraved dealings spread wildly like a leprous sore Overwhelming victims with its maddening juiciness; The sharpest knife is the bluntest. This jungle is that land Where talents and lofty ideas die unharnessed Under the very watch of her leaders-- Leaders who live only for themselves Leaving behind dusty footmarks for a legacy; the led Grope in continued and deep-seated blackout After seasons of mis

  Down Town Market                          --Nabiha Abdillahi Down Town Market is located in Hargeisa, Somaliland in the horn of Africa region. The market is said to be at the central part of Somaliland, and it plays host to a plethora of people visiting it daily from different parts of the country, including Somalia. Down Town Market is very big, and also quite beautiful because the government and its citizens invested in its development. The market operates for 18 hours, but on special days like public holidays, Fridays, and Eids, it runs 24 hours. The market is usually very busy at the early hours of the morning and noon; this is when one might experience traffic jam on its roads. The market has more than than four thousands supermarkets and shops.  And, you can get virtually anything you need in it ranging from grocery, clothes, jeweleries etc. You can find hospitals, universities, schools, mosques, companies, hotels, banks, gyms, restaurants, cafeterias etc

MY TWO BEST FRIENDS                                --Moro Godwin Promise I have two best friends One is brown, the other is white They are my lovers, my life wires, They hold the key to my heart! Seconds, minutes, hours, Days, weeks, month, and years Can't walk by without me thinking of them. I have two best friends One is brown, the other is white Wise is the Creator For He knows that they will to me Be as loving companions They will energise me When I'm weak and hungry.  I have two best friends One is brown, the other's white What spell did they cast on me That my last kobo is spent on them? I became a thief because of them I was almost hit by a car because of them I want them to forever be mine.  Who are these friends of mine? They are beans and bread of course! I have two best friends One is brown, the other's white So dear are they to me  That should a piece from the artful whole Inadvertently f