Haidar's Corner

It is quite fascinating to discover that the different ecosystems such as the Oceans, the Amazon forest, the Arctic & Antarctic icecaps as well as the Saharan desert are exquisite components of the unique system that is Earth. Each of these aforementioned (as well as all others) are important to the stability of the earth in terms of weather which determines feeding, accommodation and various other livelihood patterns of humans as well as other living things. Undoubtedly, it is no longer debatable that Humans have exerted such tremendous pressure on the planet that has heralded a new epoch named the Anthropocene ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthropocene ). Anthropos (ἄνθρωπος) is Greek for man while -cene is denoting a recent geological period. Thus we humans have become a force that is gradually changing the face of the earth in ways that call for concern due to two main reasons: The first and primary reason is that the changes the earth is experiencing a...

It is human nature to 'define' people and the positions they take in order to gain an understanding and which is usually the essence of theories. The issue of Feminism and all related to it is steeped in raging controversy, misunderstandings and differing perspectives which makes it impossible to have a common ground for protagonists, antagonists and the 'fence-sitters'. Perhaps it is only when you look at the 'parts' that you can see the 'whole'. Any writing that seeks to buttress the plights of the feminine gender is usually termed 'feminist'. Much as many avoid such tags, I would say it is inevitable. It is common knowledge that 'his'-story is replete with proof that the world is dominated by the masculine. This in itself should not be a problem (apologies to the ladies)! The problem arose because injustice(s) and outright denial of a human being's 'humanity' became entrenched in different settings, epo...

Love...etched when it was soft as clay becoming scar embedded on hardened rock that is or was a beating heart remember ice once was water freely flowing gushing with life before cold hatred  frozen into fragile glass coldness preserves memories yet always let  warmth guide you to freedom's embrace for one bite may be bitter but not all  are not sweet several are ripened even as we speak so take heart to hope's end, soldier where thou shall find your 'God-send'. . Haidarwali 201412170728hrs

It is rapidly creeping to a Stop. Invisibly exposing Rot. We are permanently changing Life The taste is colorless The sight, bland And like all their siblings balding A group too numbed to speak Well, Contentment disappeared His replacement; Greed A workaholic; insatiable Everywhere shining with despair Death so cheap, "...by the dozen" Earth so weak: poisoned We're so desperate, we're frozen The 8-5pm, a race Deleted, are those who can't keep the pace And amidst all this haste A single blast Laying to waste 12:00:00 Reset. Haidarwali 201409031801hrs

On another note, monkeys, bats and other members of the bush fraternity were sighted organizing 'year-long' celebrations on the successful launch of their 'pilot' bio-chemical WMD program which has proven highly efficacious thus enabling many on verge of becoming endangered to gradually return to their undisturbed living arrangements. The development has seen a rather sharp decline in threats to the continued existence of some species.    Even hitherto caged specimens on live display as 'prisoners' in the much despised detention sites aka 'Zoos' have started to be released. It has been reported that even traffic from unwanted encroachers has been minimized as 'bushes' and 'forests' have been designated as QHRA (Quarantined-High-Risk-Areas).  Another 'benefit' noted is the endless stream of profit that is accruing to The Other Living Things Incorporated (a hedge fund set up specifically to reap the benefits of the E-Program...

Yes. Good day, We just got out of a 'high-powered' meeting where a 'new discovery' has been 'revealed' that a serum (code-name AMapp) of a formulation consisting of 'capsaicin (8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide) and several related chemicals, collectively called capsaicinoids' is believed to efficaciously battle the E- virus! These elements are abundantly available in the fruit of plants from the genus Capsicum, members of the nightshade family, Solanaceae. Based on this finding, a trial bathing lotion has been put together using a body-friendly variant found in PEPPER.   I am happy to inform all those who took a bath with salt aka 'sodium chloride' and ingested a considerable amount of the fruit of Garcinia afzelii aka 'bitter kola' as a precaution against the E-virus, can now add 'Pepperica Lotion'to their shelves! And the lotion comes with a 'satisfaction guarantee' aka money-back guarantee. ONE BATH...

So much to say Yet words are not enough Still more to learn Yet the days vanish away The heart heavy Concedes with resignation Like a candle brandished A source of light Yet the wick withers, While wearing wax And the flame flickers, Finally fading As darkness devours The awakening arrives Revealing reality Haidar Wali 201408080016hrs

Normally, one would just pass such writings without recourse to it especially with the apparent ‘subjectivity’ and dripping warped thoughts that defined the piece. Yet once in a while one is pushed to ‘respond’ to issues that are spewed if only to put forth an alternative viewpoint to balance the skewed public commentary as well as debunk the ‘fallacies’ that fly around. Perhaps the obvious explanation for some of the things expressed lie in the fact that they are opinions of one looking from the outside with inadequate appreciation of both the issues of royalty as well as the specifics concerning the traditions of the society in question. Yet still, it becomes clear that the central theme that motivated the piece was envy and hatred for the subject matter. For I wonder what ‘sweet revenge’ the author was referring to when in HRH SLS we have one with a legitimate claim to the throne no less or more than any other of the princes. And it is a clear lack of knowledge and appreciatio...

Can you see the symmetry? In the finesse of the wordsmith... Artistry abounds In the weaving Each symbol denotes Each block-form connotes Yet today we forget And this art we've abandoned Alphabets have caged Albeit setting free emotions A thousand words Used to be a few strokes A single inscription Used to convey an 'idea' Today with all the words Misunderstanding abounds Perhaps occasional silence Would help our cause Yet a dam once burst Will continue gushing Still I surmise We might return to 'symbols' For 'bots have replaced 'Pen strokes' for 'Keystrokes' And the feel of 'paper' Is digitized So we now have smileys Thumbs ups and other emoticons These symbols have now replaced A bunch of words Thus from where we started There we return The word written... Is going home. Haidarwali 201405111143hrs

Surreptitiously sneaking to wreak havoc Placing the life of their host under lock Backstabbing perfected; at its best Believe me envy wouldn't let Trojan rest But hope can't be blotted Belief and faith remain knotted As silver lining shines with expectation As well support and care; key for remission Destroy these agents of despair Defeat our enemies beyond repair Keep hope awake and in view Know that we're always with you. Haidarwali 201402050903hrs

When hungry Even the bland Becomes grand Yet no one will enjoy feces No matter the seasoning That seeks to spice  Our reasoning As you said Sire Truth is odorless As well sumptuously tasteless Food can be sent on suspension But trying that with water? It's a nonstarter Ah! the feast looks delicious! Hands are outstretched grabbing But for me, water is all I'm having I am on a diet I have a parched mouth I am okay down south Water will sustain me through Water will wash down all the goo Leaving me with Reality Haidarwali 201402040920hrs

I think that writing has an edge over oratory. Yes I believe people gain acceptance by speech, but I feel they etch themselves in time by writing. For writing it is that captures moments like a photograph making it possible to engage in a conversation with someone who is long gone. An instance that keeps revolving in my mind is how fast the oratorical specimen of a great like Dan Masanin Kano Alh. Maitama Sule would fade in memory and how much so would it have gained more permanence if written (though luckily we now have video capture) Yet this is not without remembering the fact that oratory will never have been better 'written' than 'spoken.' For instance we are blessed to be endowed with the light of Islam due to the process of documenting what was said, done and sanctioned during the Holy Prophet(SAW)'s time. On another hand many wonderful writers would make the worst public speakers (which is essentially what oratory is all about). Even with the p...

Let me start by saying that today the biggest marketing tool in use is 'fear'. Just take a look at the advertisements and jingles marketing products and even in day to day interactions from office to home you will find out that what ensures there is 'sales' is 'fear'. Is it the fear of getting tooth decay or is it to avoid hypertension, diabetes and cancer? We are today driven by fear and because the media know it they surreptitiously employ it to get us 'consuming' and spending. I call this 'emotional blackmail' as they feed fat on the fear of people. But who cares since you will always find that we are ever ready to be 'blackmailed' so... Another tool that is employed is 'mob tactics' because many people live their lives for others. It is thus very easy to lure a whole 'demographic' into buying a product simply because they need to maintain 'status and sustain an image of 'success' that they are hanging onto...

Today I happened upon a report that highlighted the precarious situation which we that are normally referred to in Nigeria as the Hausa-Fulani are in. The issue at hand is that of drug abuse and addiction which has gradually become a phenomenon that people seem to accept as part of the realities of today. Well gradually this 'monster' is carving out our communities and making the most valuable members into hollow shells worth nothing more than an empty barrel or even less for empty barrels do serve as containers for storage, something I'm sad to say a 'druggie' can't be. Thus though this is applicable to any community that wants the best for it's people I particularly have the following advice for my people. From the youths to the housewives that are said to be one of the largest users of some of these drugs, it behooves those who are the 'intelligentsia' of our various communities to ensure that there is an engagement (positive) towards making t...

How do you get to be heard? Does a 'shout' avail you the opportunity? Does 'doing nothing' mean something has been said? Does a sign afar say more than seeing it from near? Does a mouth have to talk before you 'speak'? Does an ear have to be 'present' to have 'understanding? Well I want writing that's 'audible'... I want a speech that is infused with 'purpose'... I want listening that can 'create'... I want action that is a flower of the plant of 'discussion'... I want vision that's nearly 'prophetic'... I want 'to be' no less than I want to be 'heard'... Haidar Wali 201401211711hrs

Ka shi na Farko Tanko: Salamu Alaikum (Ana gyara da babbar murya). Ina kike, maza kowa mun abinci inci zanje majalisa. Ladidi: Wa alaika Salam, toh Maigida baza ka dan huta ba. Tanko: Wane hutu, so kike in kunshe a daki kamar marar lafiya. Ladidi: A'a wai ka shawo aiki tun safe kuma da sai ka dan huta ba muyi hira. Tanko: Hira! Hirar me zamuyi banda kiyi mun tsegumi da gulma. Ke ba fita kike ba bare ki san abun da duniya take ciki. Dan Allah yi maza kar labari ya wuce ni! Ladidi: Allah ya baka hakuri (Ta kawo abinci da ruwan sha ta ajiye to kome gefe guda ta zauna). Tanko: (Ya bude kwanon abinci ya fara zubawa) Ke kuwa Ladidi ba kya jin magana ta na ce bana son zumbutun kazan nan amma sai da kika sa min a abinci (murtuke fuska da fushi). Ladidi: Yi hakuri maigida mantawa nayi ban cire ba ina sauri, ka kusan dawowa ban idda girki ba. Bara inje in gyaro maka shi, kasan tsokar tafi yawa ta nan bangaren ne. Tanko: Kyale kawai zan cire. A dai lura dan gaba. Gashi...

Today I came across a comment that said: "You can own anything in the world, but know that you are going to leave it all when you die." This made me ponder over the reality that we actually never came to this world with anything.  Even if a person was born with a silver spoon as the saying goes, a blink of an eye is enough to change a destiny like the case of the Japanese man who just of recent found out that he got switched at birth and was actually born to wealthy parents.   If this is so then it behooves us to continuously endeavor to give back as much if not more than what we are taking from the earth and it is on this note that I have chosen the following poser: Have you ever put a plant into the earth and seen it grow into something beneficial to humanity? What does it really take to plant a tree or any plant for that matter. This is one of the reasons why we have an environment that keeps degrading because we have failed to inculcate the habit of giving back...

Someone asked me to give some tips on writing and after putting them down in writing :) I decided to share it here. The following are some very effective strategies that I have used effectively over the years and they've worked for me: 1. Write as much as you can. You can do this by opening a journal and documenting your thoughts everyday in an exercise book or anything you find convenient. You can also write on things you see around you etc. 2. Make the Dictionary your companion. In order to to have certain degree of ease to write you have to gain a significant amount of words. You can do this by learning synonyms of words. This will give you enough room to play around with words such that you can say one thing in a variety of ways. Also, try to note down new words you come across and find their meanings. 3. Perhaps the most obvious advice is for you to read, read, and read. And when you talk of reading, it should be wide. For instance, just go to a library and ...

Poetry is many things to many people...like the proverbial touching of the elephant by the blind men, we take what is branded poison and make a sumptuous meal while the next man may still be recovering in the hospital from ingesting it. But one thing for certain is that no piece can out rightly be counted out as not being 'poetic' enough to be classified 'poetry' simply because it does not follo w 'our' specifications. We can rightly prescribe 'forms', 'tools' and other things which the poet may use to increase the aesthetic value of his/her piece. But I advise us to stay clear of dismissing pieces as not being poetry. Terminology, classification, and Naming are nobody's preserve. Art only recognizes 'recognition' and not castigation. Do not pull out the plant that lacks flowers as a 'weed'. Patience and careful tending rewards the gardener with surprises beyond comment.  Much Ado about Poetry Prosaic ...