Lukman

About 5 full moons and 3 eclipses later, I just remembered I had an online village square, with yours truly the only inhabitant. I am the king and also a subject. I am sitting here on the train at Greenhithe, held up by a red light on the track, en route somewhere in Central London. While we wait for the red light, green light Squid Game to end, I remembered a conversation I had with a friend a few days…

Like a child learning to walk, we fall, get up, hold on to rails, and sometimes still tumble down a full flight of stairs. Sometimes we cry. Other times, we dust our knickers and get right back into the grind. This time, though, it’s with life. There are a few things I want to publicly plead guilty to—habits I picked up during my “falling down flights of stairs” phase. Don’t worry, I’m not going to jail… I know that for…

The world can be blurry But the truth is not Written words can be fuzzy But speech is not I am forced to hold my breath For moments I am not expecting My shadow has my soul at gunpoint Compelled to lay flowers on my nemesis And start fires on the graves of my friends As if I am a bunch of bliss and abyss (of inferno) Crammed into flesh I’m wrigling out my heart For the last bit of…

Andromache of Scythia, the main character in The Old Guard movie series, once said something interesting. She said that sometimes confusion can be helpful. This topic of the 72 virgins “in the Qur’an” is an example of when confusion has not helped. Let me tell you how this confusion came about. And yes… Ramadan Mubarak. It’s day 27 today, and I am somewhere in Pandora, cohabiting with 6- to 8-foot-tall, dark-skinned humanoid species. I am in Juba, South Sudan. The…

Happy New Year…! It’s 2026, and I am not about to get into some numerology conspiracies about the significance of this year. However, I know for a fact that no new plans will be made for this year, in this year. All desired outcomes for ’26 were set in the last quarter of  ’25. So, 2026 is the year of action. So, I have been on a holiday against my will. The Mrs co-opted me into going on a trip across…

Before you judge me, hear me out first. So, today, I turn 42 years, the year of perfect balance between two odds. I know people usually talk about new strategic directions and goals when they turn 40, but for me, I didn’t feel that way. It felt more like a normal birthday without the need for any deep introspection or a year to drop quotable quotes. I just enjoyed the day with family, friends and foes. I, however, feel so…

  So this poem is for cases and spaces hope laced on bright and happy faces Its for bravery That made us fly over oceans, rivers and sees to convene here at the IDRC… This poem is for children The ones whose lives we have gathered to improve Its for educators, the ones whose pains we want to soothe Its for support To those officials whose days have been blue This poem is for us For our willingness to give…

Of asterisks and obelisks. History carved in monuments. Of numbers and their mantissa Tracking heartbeats in sync And of wailing and tired hearts Yearning for a new secession of the pleb Of the constant quest for direction Parents being led by those they birthed Of clothed bodies and naked souls Of unknown friends. Of known foes. Of statues made by earth and fire. And by zephyr, carrying the scents of tulips and Jasmine Of moments. Written with quills or engraved…

I don’t usually write about politics, but this one, I simply couldn’t resist. Maybe I’m overthinking things, but hear me out. Some politicians have recently come together under the banner of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), positioning themselves as a united front to unseat the Jagaban come 2027. It’s a good sign for our democracy — that opposition voices can gather and organize without harassment from the ruling party. I like it for them, and I wish them well. Now,…

Everyone who has heard about Generative AI…..USES GENERATIVE AI. Yes. I said it. Don’t let anyone lie to you. That 5,000-page report your boss is showing off might be the product of GROK, and of course himself too. A few months ago, I hired a short-term consultant to support my education data systems work. This person came highly recommended, and I had checked out some of her work online. All I can say is that she has been busy. At…