Dear Esteemed Readers,
Welcome to the Breathe Issue of CỌ́N-SCÌÒ Magazine (Issue 5, Volume 1), June 2025. In a world that often demands constant motion, this edition invites you to pause, inhale deeply, and find resonance in the myriad ways we experience and interpret the act of “breathing.”
This issue explores not just the physical act of breath, but its profound metaphorical dimensions: the struggle for air in challenging environments, the quiet moments of introspection that allow us to find calm amidst chaos, the resurgence of spirit, and the very essence of life’s continuous cycle. From the raw realities of urban life to the intimate journeys of healing and self-discovery, our contributors offer vivid glimpses into what it means to breathe truly.
Our In the Spotlight feature presents an insightful conversation with Nana Sule, who eloquently reminds us that “history books cannot be trusted, so we must write our own stories”—a powerful call to voice and authenticity. Within our Poetry section, you’ll encounter verses that speak of resilience, the search for meaning, and the courage to pause, from talents like Janoma Omena, 11-year-old Johan T.K. Salihu, Olobo Ejile, Ishola Joshua, Ferdinand E. Somtochukwu, Elizabeth Akinsehinwa, Iliya Kambai Dennis, Moremi Akano, and Abubakar Ibrahim.
The Art & Photography section, featuring artists like Anyanwu David Chinedu, Sulola Imran Abiola, Ojo Victoria Ilemobayo, Ibrahim Ajani Lawal, and Victor Adebayo Meye, visually captures moments of profound contemplation and the luminous path from shadow to light. Our Short Fiction section delves into compelling narratives from Haské Madabe, S. Su’eddie Vershima Agema, and Michael Olabadola. In our Essays & Non-Fiction section, we present insightful reviews from Servio Gbadamosi, Jide Badmus, and Izang Alexander Haruna, all further enriching the theme of breath in all its forms.
On behalf of the entire editorial team, I extend my deepest gratitude to all our contributors for their courage, vulnerability, and exceptional artistry. Their works collectively form a testament to the power of creative expression to illuminate, heal, and connect.
We invite you to immerse yourself in these pages, to find your moments of clarity, and to experience the liberating power of art that truly allows us to “Breathe.” You can click the link 🔗 icon on each article to read the web version.
With gratitude and anticipation,
Kukogho Iruesiri Samson,
Editor-in-Chief
