So here we are, in the second week of 2024. I like second weeks - there’s a lot of pressure to get stuff done in the new year: get a gym membership, read one million books (you don't have to, just read however you can) and change your whole life. Everything kind of quiets down by the second week, and I can focus on living. We have seen a lot of great work on the platform over the past week and here’s a selection of stories we loved. 

Do you ever watch Anime? Well, I do, and “If You Enjoy Jujutsu Kaisen, Drop It Now” captures my sentiments about the most recent arc of the show. In this Essay, writer KC explores the intricacies of the latest installations of the show and makes a case for why we are left with an “anaemic world devoid of the richness required to convince me it is real.” 

“Eden” explores yearning through the eyes of people in worship. Winnie E. Eka-Williams’ story follows a church-goer and their views of the people before them, interceding to their God on the last day of the year. 

Shelah Jegede’s flash fiction has been increasingly popular on Iko these past weeks and with good reason. 

“I watched my girlfriend get married. She had always wanted a December wedding, and I’m so glad her dream came true, even though it was not with me.”

Piercing, honest and well…delusional, The Diary of a Delulu is satirical excellence, and as we read through the thoughts of a lost lover, we go from “ah” to “na wa” to “it is well.” 

The music industry is a behemoth that makes so much money but still manages to hurt the people we’re drawn to it by, the artists. In “THE SILENT SYMPHONY”, Christopher Agbor Asuk digs into the facets that affect the artists, from 360 deals to their lack of awareness of their rights. His essay emphasises that the world of music law needs some attention and reform to further protect artists rights, interests, and creative work.

More work we loved:

• Chioma Okoli’s “Sharp Knives” is an exploration of silence that binds and the lengths we must be willing to go for ourselves and the people we love. 

• @Oluchukwu’s #03 is a thriller with amazing stylistic choices that kept me scrolling even when the words finally ran out. A riveting read that I highly recommend

• Heads of Tails is a collection of pivots that take the story to places we often think about but run from. 

What are you looking to read this new year? Let us know in the comments, and we’ll try to find a story on Iko that suits your needs. 

Thanks for reading, and happy new year!

Albert Nkereuwem

Editorial Manager, Iko Africa