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“There is nothing permanent except change,” according to Greek philosopher Heraclitus

Friends are important. They carry much of our past, our memories, and shared experiences. During tough times and good times, they were with us.

Religious conflict in Nigeria goes as far back as 1953. But it was in the 1980s that Nigeria saw an upsurge in religious violence. This was mainly caused by the death of Mohammed Marwa, or Maitatsine.

Since Nigeria gained independence in 1960, there have been five military coups. The first coup happened in January 1966. Military officers overthrew the government and ended the First Nigerian Republic.

As depicted in Salvador Dali’s artwork The Persistence of Memory, time seems to melt. Who you were ten years ago may not be who you are today and who you will be ten years from now. But are you not the same person? Or past, present, and future are intimately linked by our memories.

Sometimes in life, we find ourselves at a standstill, at a crossroad waiting, or on a path that is going nowhere. We all have experienced moments like this. At least once in our lifetime, we have been in situations where we are held back by a circumstance, a person, or even just by time itself.

When the country is in political turmoil, the country is in a state of confusion, agitation, and commotion. There is political instability and unrest, which is characterized by riots, rallies, demonstrations, and general strikes.

A memoir inspired by people around him who didn’t expect of his past and the life he had but were thrilled to get to know that part of him, Suspended in Vast Plain is author Stan Kasprzyk’s tribute to that life in between the past and the present. The events portrayed in the memoir split his life into two parts, and almost equal in duration.