Jason's Jive July 2025

So much has happened in this month, which I feel is one of the shortest months of the year. Yes, it has 30 days, but still time seems to go so fast.  So let me get right into it. This month, the week of June 13, history was made in the Eastern Caribbean when an Air Peace Boeing 777-300 flew directly from the Nigerian capital, Abuja, to the RLB Airport in St. Kitts, a ten-hour flight. Thup the item later e flight marked the first time direct air travel would be held between the two countries and it has the potential to boost trade, tourism and sports between the two continents. Presently to get from the Caribbean to Africa, one has to go through either the USA or Europe. Time will show to what extent this opportunity increases collaboration.

Nigeria, with a population of over 150 million people is referred to as the giant of Africa, while St. Kitts, with a population of over 42, 000 is viewed as a pivotal location in the Caribbean, relative to travel.

The world is a very small place. I went to high school in Nigeria (the International School, Ibadan – also called ISI). Back then it was a prominent school. Well, a few weekends ago, this month, I left home to go to DFW Airport and on the way made a stop at Burlington Coat Factory to pick up an item. The first branch I went to did not have the item, so I mentally decided that I would head to the airport and at another time, pick up the item.  While en-route, I realized that there was another branch less than two miles away, so I decided to pop in there.  I found the item, joined the line to pay and had to wait for what seemed like an eternity as a customer had a lot of items and had slowed down the line (only one cashier was working).

A gentleman, definitely mid-50’ish came down the aisle to join the line. As he walked down, I casually looked at him and something seemed relatively familiar about this person.  I proceeded to ask him a question and based on his response; it was who I thought it was. As he responded to my question, he asked me my name. I told him, “I doubt you will remember my name from ISI. Have not seen you since about 1983.” His mouth opened wide in awe.  His face lit up with a curious smile, as I guess he started going through a database of faces from school days.

We both paid for our respective items and then struck up the conversation from where we left off.  As soon as I mentioned, “I am Jason Inanga,” he opened his mouth wide. Next statement was, “how’s your Mum?” I responded and told him she is doing fine. He started going down memory lane – my Mother had been the music teacher at the school, and he remembered her and some of the musical presentations she had done – The Wizard of Oz, The Bride of Seville and Salad Days.

A few days after that, I went to a graduation party for a friend’s son in Southlake, Dallas and ran into a ‘big brother’ I had not seen since 1978 or so. I had no memory of me, but he remembered me vividly. We grew up at church and as young people, we enjoyed skipping the service to play in the parking lot, which had a lot of fruit trees. Folks around us were stunned at the revelation.

So, I say all this to say that the world is indeed very small.  You just never know how you are connected. There is no room for all this hatred and bitterness that we spew on each other.

If you watch Nigerian movies, history will be made on July 6th in Greenbelt, when a very popular new movie, ‘Aso Ebi Diaries’ premieres at the Greenbelt Cinema at 129 Centerway. The event starts at 6 pm with a red carpet and the actual film screening starts at 7 pm. It marks the start of Nigerian movies being shown at the movies here in the USA. If you are able to, please go experience the richness of the Nigerian culture. Do a google search about the word, “aso ebi.” Well, have a nice one and happy Independence.