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Nigerian Editors and Writers as Free Community Laborers
By Farooq Kperogi
If I get a dollar for every time random Nigerians that I don’t know from a hole in the wall want me to edit stuff (entire book manuscripts, articles, proposals, etc.) for them for free, I’d be a multimillionaire!
But seriously, what sustains the idea in Nigeria that writers and editors are complimentary communal intellectual wells from where everyone can drink?
You don’t ask a doctor to treat you for an illness for free. You don’t ask a lawyer to defend you in court for free. You don’t ask an accountant to do your taxes for free.
In fact, you don’t ask a graphic designer to design logos for you for free. Only writers and editors are expected to offer free labor—as if they didn’t spend time and money to acquire their skill or don’t require effort and time to render their services.
We creative types are probably responsible for why we’re taken for granted. We’re willing victims of what one scholar by the name of Andrew Ross calls “cultural discount” whereby “artists and other arts workers accept non-monetary rewards – the gratification of producing art – as a compensation for their work, thereby discounting the cash price of their labor.”
I used to edit for lots of Nigerians for free out of a sense of community service, but 8 out of 10 times I won’t even get a mere “thank you.” I answered people’s grammar questions by email, and 8 out of 10 times I never received an acknowledgement much less an expression of gratitude. That caused me to question what I was doing.
Contrast that to my experience in America. When even friends want me to help with editing their work, they unfailing ask how much I charge per word, and never fail to thank me afterward.
I’ve earned enough money from editing and rewriting academic articles for American scholars in my spare time that my wife and I decided to set up a small business called FAMEK Global Consulting, LLC.
Now each time random Nigerians send me those casual emails asking me to edit stuff for them, I send them the link to my rates per word. They never come back. 🤣
A few months ago, someone wanted me to edit a book containing the speeches of a governor (yes, a serving governor!) for free. I sent him my rates and said it was up for negotiation. I never heard back from him.
I have a full-time job as a professor, researcher, and father. I also have a small business that I run. Where do I have the time to edit people’s articles, books, speeches, etc. for free?
I know I speak for many Nigerian editors and writers whose learning and skills are taken for granted by several people.
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London Property Dispute Exposes Alleged Corruption, Forgery by Nigerian Politician and Lawyer
By Hassan Taiye
A recent judgment by the UK’s First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) has shed light on a complex web of alleged corruption and forgery involving a Nigerian politician and a senior lawyer. The case revolves around a disputed property in North London, valued at 79 Randall Avenue.
The property was purchased in 1993 under the name “Tali Shani,” which is allegedly an alias for late General Jeremiah Useni, a powerful member of the Abacha regime. Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, claimed the property was gifted to him by “Mr. Tali Shani” in 2021 as payment for legal services. However, the tribunal dismissed this claim, describing it as “fabricated” and “fraudulent.”
The tribunal’s ruling highlights the alleged involvement of Ozekhome and his associates in fabricating documents, including a Nigerian passport, National Identification Number (NIN), and Tax Identification Number (TIN). The NIN was reportedly created remotely from Monaco using a non-compliant photograph and bypassing biometric requirements ¹.
The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate Ozekhome and others over alleged fraud, forgery, and unlawful attempt to acquire the London property. The ICPC has launched an investigation, and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) has also taken notice of the case ²
Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN Senior lawyer accused of forgery and attempting to acquire the property through fraudulent means.
General Jeremiah Useni Late Nigerian General allegedly behind the purchase of the property under the alias “Tali Shani.”
Osilama Ozekhome*: Ozekhome’s son, implicated in the alleged forgery and fraud.
L-r Senate Committee Chairman on Appropriation, Solomon Adeola; Senate Deputy Whip, Onyekachi Nweboyin; Former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; Senator Sharafadeen Ali; Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau; Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele; Senate Whip Tahir Monguno and Senate Committee Chairman on Financial Institutions, Tokunbo Abiru, after resumption of plenary yesterday. Photo: Senate President’s Office
By: Fabian Apechihin
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has resigned from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet amid a growing controversy surrounding his academic credentials.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga confirmed Nnaji’s resignation in a statement issued late Tuesday.
Nnaji’s exit follows mounting allegations that his academic certificates were forged. Investigations revealed that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), disowned the Bachelor of Science degree he claimed to possess, stating that he never completed his studies at the institution and was therefore not issued any certificate.
According to UNN Vice-Chancellor Prof. Simon U. Ortuanya, Nnaji was admitted in 1981 but failed to meet the requirements for graduation.
In a related development, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) reportedly disowned the certificate of national service presented by Nnaji, describing it as fake.
His resignation marks the latest in a series of controversies to hit the Tinubu administration over questions of integrity and accountability among public officials.
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