The Learner

Muhammad Muhsin Ibrahim muhsin2008@gmail.com muhsin234 (Twitter) On many occasions, Nigerians stand out among their fellow Africans. “Giant of Africa” is the enviable, controversial title often applied to Nigeria, owing to its largest population and economy on the continent. It also once had the mightiest military, having undertaken numerous successful peacekeeping missions in other African countries such as  Liberia , Sudan , and Serra Leon . The Nigerian army is no longer, however, regarded as such, as they have yet to combat and contain the insurgency of the Islamists called Boko Haram within the country since 2009 and for the violation of civilian rights in other instances. Nigeria is arguably roughly divided along religious lines. The North is predominantly Muslim, while the South is mainly Christian. There are over 200 distinct languages, but only three (Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo) are considered major. So, Nigeria is a country of plurality and complexity, s...

Muhammad Muhsin Ibrahim @muhsin234 (Twitter) Sunday, 01 st June 2014, marks my maiden wedding anniversary. Unlike today, I was filled with happiness beyond expressing this day, last year. I was all the more excited that we were, pragmatically speaking, honeymooning outside Nigeria, starting in Cairo, where we would have an eighteen-hour transit, and India, where we still are, essentially, though for studies. My euphoria was, nonetheless, shattered by two fears since we were airborne:  first, India was often described in the news as religiously a volatile country; and second, as being ‘infested’ with lusty rapists. I am Muslim, and I am coming with a newlywed wife! Though after spending almost a year now, I discovered that although the religious schism of course exists and the rapists rather ravage, some stories are untrue, or just being exaggerated.  Yet, I was spirited in another way, for I was ‘escaping’ from the wrath of the infamous, dreaded Boko Haram (BH) ...