Thread by @toluogunlesi

#random Among the enduring memories of childhood were the Wars raging c1990/1991: Gulf War, and the Liberian Civil War. I was 9 at the time; clearly remember these names: Norman Schwarzkopf, and Tayo Awotusin and Krees Imodibe. May their souls continue to Rest In Peace.

The Cold War too loomed large. Reflexive acceptance that there were the good guys (Allied Forces) ranged against the bad (Soviet Union).

Closer home, ECOMOG vs Charles Taylor/Samuel Doe/etc.

My brother & I had an alphabet set - & assigned countries to the various colors: Red was UK, Green Nigeria, Soviet Union Purple, can’t remember what US was. We made the colored letters (soldiers) ‘battle’ one another, right side up post/battle meant survival, upside down, death.

Atmosphere was quite militarized. Our ‘leaders’ were all in military uniforms. The coolest guys in the land were the ‘Military Governors’, with their drama (‘Raji Rasaki’ being emblematic) and among the coolest secondary schools anyone could attend, were the military schools.

And then the news - TV or print (I remember Weekend Concord) - constantly brought back news of distant wars fought - with intimidating columns of armored tanks and fighter jets and warships - between good and bad guys.

Speaking of the Military Governors I recall from that era: Raji Rasaki in Lagos (“Who build this Gada?!”), and Sasaenia Oresanya in Oyo. Mohammed Lawal in Ogun.

‘Official portraits’ of military officers everywhere, lol.