Ojeh Bikwa

Physicist who does engineering, sapiophile, high priest of the beautiful game, passionate citizen

[Gimba Kakanda @gimbakakanda]

I sent one of my Iranian friends in the United States a news report about the Speaker of the Norwegian Parliament, Masud Gharahkhani. He occupies the highest elected office in Norway after the King in the country’s constitutional order. Born in Tehran, Iran, he arrived in Norway as a refugee with his family in 1987. What began as sharing an interesting story quickly became a conversation about civilisations, and one observation proved difficult to dismiss.

For all its conflicts, and for all its hypocrisies and prejudices, Western civilisation remains the most accommodating of outsiders. You may marshal elegant arguments or even write a thesis against that proposition, but it is difficult to identify another part of the world that has consistently entrusted so much political, economic and social power to immigrants and foreign-born citizens. The evidence is visible in parliaments, city halls, universities, boardrooms and courts across the Western world.

Meanwhile, some of us are still trapped in societies where even a fellow citizen can be denied opportunities in the very town he was born and has lived all his life simply because his parents came from another region, or because he belongs to the wrong ethnic group or professes the wrong faith. That remains the primitive rung on which many societies outside the West are still stranded.

The fact that two of the world’s most influential cities, New York and London, have elected Muslim mayors is telling. It becomes even more striking when one considers the growing number of immigrants and foreign-born citizens who occupy sensitive public offices across Europe and North America. My Iranian friend is himself an illustration of that openness. He moved to the United States for postgraduate studies and has since risen to a senior position in a leading organisation. Whenever we discuss America, his dominant sentiment, despite his disapproval of the politics of certain American leaders, is gratitude for the opportunities it afforded him.

This openness is also one reason liberal democracies in the West have proved incredibly resilient. Despite the rise of populists, authoritarians and the far right, their greatest opponents are often their own citizens. The culture of relentless self-criticism, the independence of institutions, a free press, competitive elections and courts willing to check executive power have enabled these societies to correct themselves repeatedly. That does not mean the West is free of racism, Islamophobia, xenophobia, inequality, colonial legacies or political polarisation. It means that, despite these flaws, it has built institutions capable of challenging prejudice rather than permanently surrendering to it—and that’s a lesson for us. That capacity for self-correction may well be its greatest civilisational strength.

[Ojeh Bikwa @ojeyona]

@MalachyOdo1 The guy is very impressive. Very.

[Ojeh Bikwa @ojeyona]

@PvrseLogic @asemota James is very Lucky. Disciple of Jesus, Nicodemus of Pharisees

[Ojeh Bikwa @ojeyona]

@amasonic DoubleEph is really really good

[Maliq @MasterMaliq]

As a Muslim, I don't get angry when someone says parts of what is practised in the name of Islam are not compatible with modern Western society.

Instead, I ask: which parts?

Child marriage.

Killing people for apostasy.

Forced conversions.

Religious extremism.

Demanding Shariah instead of respecting the laws of the country that welcomed you.

Treating everyone outside Islam as an enemy instead of a fellow human being.

Let's be honest. Most people, including most Muslims, know these things are not compatible with modern life. Yet extremists cling to them, insist they are Islam itself, and condemn anyone who questions them.

If we truly love Islam, we should have the courage to challenge the extremists before blaming everyone else for how the world sees us.

[Osaretin Victor Asemota @asemota]

Thank you!!! I read the original blog post, and this stood out:

“If you want true Christians, start with true humans. True humans aren't perfect ones, but they are those who want courage and love and truth (even though they fail at them) and who hate pain and evil and death (even though they can't escape them).”

This is what African Christianity largely misses and why it is moving rapidly towards a major clash with reality and alternative religions. The current god most so-called religious men in Africa sell to their congregations is one who gifts prosperity. There is very little examination of virtues that save us from our lack of perfection. There isn't true humanity in “new-age” Christianity as it is largely practiced around Africa.

https://t.co/PJmpXr6XS3

This was a great read! Thanks again, Padre 🙏🏿

[Ojeh Bikwa @ojeyona]

Well done Spain!!!

[Ojeh Bikwa @ojeyona]

Well done to Spain. Worthy winners

[tyro @DoubleEph]

Will be a real travesty if Argentina win this. But if it goes to penalties, all bets are off especially with Dibu’s shithousery

[Ojeh Bikwa @ojeyona]

@dondekojo Make the basis of the threat from your opponent irrelevant. To deal with this Spain you need like two Ngolo Kantes in your team

[Ayobami @dondekojo]

Spain’s tactics : “Na ball wey messi see e go play”

They didn’t allow Mbappe see the ball either lmao

[Ojeh Bikwa @ojeyona]

With that red card. I think Spain will finish the job in extra time. If they don't, Argentina will punish them if it gets to penalties

[Ojeh Bikwa @ojeyona]

When the excellence of collective play triumphs over raw star power.

Salib's absence key in Spain's second goal critical.

Rodri is a beast. Fabian Ruiz similarly. They managed the spaces and passing channels the French attackers usually utilise.

[Sir J (J9) @SirJarus]

Even though I read about it during my teenage years (& witnessed the twilight of military in Nigeria), I recently started reading about military politics/history again and it's fascinating, if sad.

Max Siollun's books are the most independent, largely unbiased books on the subject.

[-valar morghulis- @eldivine]

To me at the end of the day, Messi is the most naturally gifted and arguably the most successful baller of all time. But I respect and admire CR7's accomplishments more.

Ultimately there's no winning the debate. It's like saying Ibrahimovic vs Henry, there is no wrong answer, just preference.

[Àgbà John Doe @jon_d_doe]

Dear young people (graduates) in the corporate world,

If you're working in a firm where your:

1. Pensions are significantly delayed in being remitted to your PFA.

2. You don't have basic health insurance packages.

3. Your salary doesn't come when due.

4. You do not see any career path or growth.

5. Your firm doesn't organize trainings, seminars, or webinars that can help you grow in your career, and improve your skills.

6. You don't get any bonuses or proper, structured leave days.

7. You don't get a salary raise each year.

Please start looking for another job.

If you stay in that job for too long, you may become redundant and demotivated.

Go work where you will be appreciated, not where you will be tolerated.

Your employer is not helping your life or career.

End.

[Mark Essien @markessien]

Once Nigeria has state police, it means each region basically has their own armed militia. If there is a dispute, the center cannot enforce their influence without having to battle armed and trained local police.

[Kieran Doyle @Statford_Bridge]

Whichever Chelsea executive bungled the Olise deal should be crucified outside the stadium

[Ojeh Bikwa @ojeyona]

The team that beats France can confidently win the World Cup. This France team is better than the one that narrowly lost the final in the last World Cup.

[Ojeh Bikwa @ojeyona]

@Ssaasquatch Well Spain, France barely lost any games in their period of dominance right before their spectacular group stage exits in the World Cup. Sometimes the balloon pops just after it is at its biggest.