NAIJA PIKIN

PRESIDENT OBAMA HONOURS HEROIC MARINE WITH A MEDAL AND…A COLD BEER!!!!!

2011-09-16T08:51:00.002+01:00

Two years ago, Marine corporal Dakota Meyer charged five times into heavy enemy fire in Taliban-held areas in Afghanistan to aid fellow U.S. service members. Yesterday,President Obama awarded Meyer, 23, the Medal of Honor, the highest award given to members of the armed services. He’s just the third living veteran to receive the award for service in Afghanistan or Iraq and the first living Marine to be honored since 1973. When White House staff contacted him to arrange the ceremony, Meyer asked if he could have a beer with Obama, and the president invited him to the White House. On Wednesday Meyer had a beer with President Obama on the patio outside of the Oval Office.

JAILED US RAPPER LIL BOOSIE TELLS 15-YEAR-OLD: “YOU CAN BE BETTER THAN ME”

2011-09-16T08:50:00.002+01:00

Incarcerated rapper Lil Boosie hopes his influence can make a difference, recently highlighting the trouble that comes with drugs and crime to a 15-year old who said he wanted to be like just Boosie on Beyond Scared Straight, a popular rehabilitation show for troubled teens.Boosie’s message from prison was sent as a letter and read over the phone to the 15-year-old by one of his close friends.Boosie wrote : “You can be better than me.You don’t want a marijuana addiction because it leads to trouble as you can see. Look at me. I’ve been in prison two years for smoking marijuana… most gangstas end up in jail or dead… we never got a letter from our role model telling us to chill out.”

FACEBOOK RELEASES MESSENGER APP

2011-08-10T08:21:00.001+01:00

Facebook has released its own separate group messaging app for Android and iOS, though initial impressions from early adopters today were overwhelmingly negative. “The Messenger app is an extension of Facebook messages, so all your conversations are in one place, including your texts, chats, emails and messages. Whether you’re on your phone or on the web, you can see the full history of all your messages,” writes Lucy Zhang on the official facebook blog. However, not many users are cool with the new app. “This is useless and stupid,” wrote one frustrated tester. “This isn’t a chat app. It’s a separate Facebook app to let you open your messages /email. You can’t see who is online. I figured FB made this because they realized mobile chat support on their app is horrible. I was wrong. This is the opposite of what you guys needed. 1 star for effort,” he added.Others expressed annoyance that on the Android version of the app, you can’t turn off all alerts permanently, instead having to mute them on an individual basis, or mute all for up to an hour or overnight.

OOOPSSssss-MAN ACCIDENTALLY SHOOTS HIMSELF IN PENIS WITH GIRLFRIEND'S GUN

2011-08-10T07:48:00.001+01:00

A suburban Phoenix man is recovering after police say he accidentally shot himself in the penis while putting his girlfriend's gun in the waistband of his pants.

Chandler police say 27-year-old Joshua Seto and his fiancée, Cara Christopher, were walking toward a grocery store when the shooting happened last week. The gun fired, striking Seto's penis and continuing through his left thigh. In the wake of the shooting, Chandler Police Detective Seth Tyler warned residents to use holsters, not waistbands, if they're going to carry a handgun.

HACKERS BLACKMAILS BLACKBERRY MAKER

2011-08-10T07:45:00.001+01:00

HACKERS HAVE BLACKMAILED BLACKBERRY MAKER RIM,threatening to release names,telephone numbers and addresses of its employees if it provides information on British rioters to police.TeaMp0isoN claimed to have stolen the details when it defaced the official BlackBerry blog.It attacked BlackBerry after a RIM said it would "assist authorities battling the riots."We have engaged with the authorities to assist in any way we can," the company's managing director Patrick Spence said."As in all markets around the world where BlackBerry is available,we co-operate with local telecommunications operators,law enforcement and regulatory officials."In a message on RIM's website, TeaMp0isoN warned that it would dump employee details if the company assisted the UK police."If you do assist the police by giving them chat logs, GPS locations, customer information & access to peoples BlackBerryMessengers,you will regret it.We have access to your database which includes your employees information; e.g – addresses, names, phone numbers etc.– now if u (sic) assist the police,we _WILL_ make this information public and pass it onto rioters…. do you really want a bunch of angry youths on your employees doorsteps? Think about it. and don’t think that the police will protect your employees, the police can’t protect themselves let alone protect others.. if you make the wrong choice your database will be made public, save yourself the embarrassment and make the right choice. don’t be a puppet.."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY OWN ‘OSAMA BIN LADEN’

2011-05-10T16:08:00.001+01:00

Today,my good friend and brother,Usman Abubakar aka ‘Osama’, former Business Development Manager of Bluechips Marine courier and ABEX Courier Ltd, would have marked his birthday. But Usman didn’t live to see this day as the very cruel hands of death snatched him last October at his residence in Lagos through electrocution. Usman and I began our Journey of brotherhood and friendship in Aba, Abia state. We later worked together in Logistics and courier covering Port Harcourt, Calabar,Eket,Umuahia,Yenegoa,Owerri and Aba. Its still too difficult to believe that Usman ‘Osama’ is no more. Just how vain this life can be and will always be.’Osama’,Peace and Happy Birthday wherever you are...

LAGOS REGATTA

2011-04-29T15:31:00.000+01:00

I would rather walk with God in the dark than go alone in the light. -Mary Gardiner Brainard

2011-04-26T18:33:00.001+01:00

AJ-WA-YAAAA!!!! The real Heroes and Heroines of our 2011 National Elections

2011-04-26T18:16:00.002+01:00

ELECTION 2011-MAIDUGURI KIDS RISKED THEIR LIVES FOR DEMOCRACY

2011-04-26T17:58:00.002+01:00

Three bombs exploded at various locations in Maiduguri,Northern Nigeria, this morning as voters thronged polling centre to vote.One of the bombs was discovered by some heroic children at Jajeri area who managed to throw it into a graveyard before it exploded.Lets applaud these heroic children of Democracy from Maiduguri

LADIES SHOES TO DIE FOR!!!

2011-03-29T07:58:00.000+01:00

LAGOS:Ooo-baa-aa-leen-dee!! Oo-bb-aaaa-lll-eeen-deeeee!!!!!

2011-03-29T07:54:00.002+01:00

NN24:NOT YET A REVOLUTION!!

2011-02-08T16:51:00.000+01:00

The people at Ikeja based NN24 (NetworkNews24) channel 414 on DStv should please step up their acts and prove that they can revolutionalize news reporting in Nigeria. I am not impressed with their scanty, belated and over repeated news items and documentaries. With their use of state of the art technology, viewers don’t expect anything less. Check out what Jeff Koinnange and his team are doing on Kenya’s K24-Channel 413, DStv and you will understand what I am talking about.NN24 can do much better!!

THE LION FINALLY TAKES A BOW

2010-10-07T16:10:00.001+01:00

South Africa's Archbishop Desmond Tutu is stepping down from public life, as he celebrates his 79th birthday.

LETTER TO IBB

2010-10-04T14:48:00.001+01:00

Sir,

It drives me mad that you want to rule Nigeria and you are busy championing sectional cause over national cause. IBB,truth must be told: You killed this our beloved country in 1985 when you overthrew Buhari/Idiagbon and opened up the floodgates of all the evil that has beset us as a nation.Most painful was JUNE 12 annulment. Do you know how many people who died from that single error of judgment of yours.Let me tell you,my father who was a diehard patriot of this once beloved nation,died years later when he was unable to find answers to why you had to annul such a free and fair elections won by Chief MKO Abiola. In June 93,you almost broke up this country. You really wanted to,as you stubbornly held on to power,but for providence and 'peoples power'.I expected you to at this stage of your life to be playing the role of an elder statesman to ease the pains of that wicked act of yours in 1993 and at the same time be at the forefront of championing a charity in honour of your late wife Mariam and humanity in general.
Sir,what is it that you want to offer this country that you couldn't offer when you held sway for 8 years? If you so love the North as you are championing,why dont you throw your support behind a young dynamic and visionary candidates like Nuhu Ribadu,El Rufai or even encourage Maj (Rtd) Abubakar Umar to take a notch at the presidency? What makes you think that you are the Messiah for the North? IBB,you and I know so well that all those guys drumming for you are only doing that for what they will get from you. If they love you so much,they will tell you the truth and only the truth-You don't need to heat up the polity.
Take a bow!

NIGERIA FOOTBALL FADS..

2010-09-16T13:56:00.000+01:00

Nigerians can be fanatically crazy about clubs in the English Premier League. On weekends you get to hear die-hard fans in the streets of Lagos,Owerri or Kaduna referring to Chelsea FC as ''our club'' or dorning a complete all red outfit of Manchester United or Arsenal or blue colours of Chelsea.Last Saturday I encountered this pretty girl who punctuated every of her speech with ''our players..our coach...our team..will win the Premier League cup.'' I was almost getting infurated with her posing.I asked her:''Excuse me,which one be your club wey you no wan let person hear word so?'' ''Ah so you dont know my club,even from my complete to match blue dressing? Anyway,to save you the stress,My club is Chelsea-GUNNERS FOR LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!". Did i hear her well? She repeated the words again ''My club is Chelsea-GUNNERS FOR LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!''. Hmmmmm?I just shook my head. So many of us don't even know the clubs we are fanatical about.When I first heard of Drogba was when he moved to Chelsea.I was in Aba,Abia state then. I thought the guy was an Igbo boy because everybody was just calling him 'Idurogba''.

A HEART TO MEND-NOW AVAILABLE IN NIGERIA

2010-04-15T08:15:00.003+01:00

Hello,

My book A Heart to Mend is now available in Nigeria from Magic Wand Publishing. It will be available in all book stores after the launch on Tuesday April 20, 2010. The first 500 books will contain a raffle ticket/ free bookmark. The first prize to be won from a random draw will be an Ipod. Other prizes include a Thesaurus, Memory Cards, internet modems, and Flash drives. Please see attached pictures, you can also download the wallpapers and posters for your use.

To get your advance copy, or for further inquiries, call 08098643221, 08059864322To read the chapter one, click - http://www.freado.com/read/5186/a-heart-to-mend-paperback

Thank you

Myne Whitman

********************************************************************************

A HEART TO MEND (BLURB)

Sheltered Gladys Eborah has spent most of her life in a suburb of Enugu brought up in a deprived single parent household after losing her father as a young girl. After finishing her education, she moves to Lagos to seek a job and moves in with an estranged aunt who now wants to be forgiven for all perceived wrongs. Gladys suspects Aunt Isioma abandoned them out of disdain for their poverty, and has the uneasy role of the bridge between both families.Her new friendships and career achievements gradually transition Gladys into an independent young woman. Soon, she begins to fall for wealthy Edward Bestman who, though physically attracted to her, is emotionally unavailable. Edward is very wealthy, but he is haunted by the past of his illegitimate birth and other secrets he will not share. The themes of premarital sex, social class mobility, and romantic ups and downs that mark a budding love are fully explored. However, Myne Whitman takes the story even further. Some unnamed people are about to take over Edward’s business empire and Gladys is implicated. Who are these people who want to betray him and destroy their happiness?

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

What the maven's are saying;

"Only few writers that spin this kind of tale... For once, we get the feeling that we are treading this path of love with the characters and again, we try to be one with the city, which is a character on its own. Truth is; Whitman has charmed me. Enthralling!"

- Onyeka Nwelue, author of The Abyssinian Boy

“Nigerians and indeed Africans are not known for romance writing. The reason can be attributed to the sense of morality (real or apparent) that seeks to relegate issues of love to the secrecy of bedrooms and treats sex as something to be talked about only in hushed tones like it were some mysterious sacred ritual...Myne Whitman’s book, A Heart to Mend, makes a bold statement to the contrary.”

- Sylva Nze Ifedigbo, Author of Whispering Aloud

“…the beauty of this book, is that there is redemption for all…in tandem with the title cover, that there can indeed be mended hearts”

- Ify Malo

“…love (even with all its problems) can transform a person and heal them enough to allow forgiveness in a heart.”- FFF, http://www.shotmusinz.blogspot.com/

“The book has been buzzing and is a definite buy.”

- Arinze Obikili, http://www.jaguda.com/

"A HEART TO MEND narrates the relationship between Gladys and Edward and offers a unique reading experience. Direct and action packed, the masterful use of emotion and suspense will keep readers totally engrossed and guessing till the end."

-http://www.werunthings.net/

“Filled with questions and themes of clashing backgrounds, societal class, premarital sex, family feuds and personal scandals, this book will have you flipping through the pages anxiously…It brings you back to the realities of life: how fragile love can be and the realizations of trust and fear.”

- Mariam Olagunju, http://www.gidilounge.com/

“Myne Whitman has written a captivating first novel…”

- Linda Ikeji, http://www.lindaikeji.blogspot.com/

“…it is the journey, not the destination that entertains in this novel, and the author has done a great job of creating a story of two characters who engage our sympathies and who we find wanting to triumph over the odds that are thrown their way.”- http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/

“More than anything this book is a breath of fresh air - very different from the stereotypical images portrayed in most books regarding the continent...this is just plain easy feel good read like a top selling novel sitting on the Romance aisle at Borders or Barnes and Nobles.”

- Olamild Entertainment, http://www.olamildentertainment.com/

A captivating contemporary African love story, A HEART TO MEND is best described as heartwarming, vivid and charming. Myne Whitman delivers romance in her first and newly released novel with such practicality and skill. It is an unforgettable love story weaved together by a quixotic and imaginative mind that is both believable and relatable!- N Amma Twum-Baah, Founder and Editor, Afrikan Goddess Online "A Heart to mend is a fearless tale about love….an unbiased story of the struggles, failures, victories, strength and harsh decisions people face at some point because of those they love. This book has a story that has been broken down and told with smooth and simple language. A Heart to mend is a delicious and beautiful story."

– Chizitere Ojiaka, http://www.courageousfingers.blogspot.com/

-- http://www.freado.com/book/5186/A-Heart-to-Mend-Paperback

A BRODA'S PAIN

2010-02-08T16:02:00.002+01:00

C is for cancer
By Toni Kan

MY brother, Charles Emeka Onwordi, (February 2, 1968 - December 21, 2009) would have been 42 today as I write this tribute to his short but eventful life. Trained as a Fine Artist at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, we graduated the same year even though there was an almost four-year age difference between us and schooling together in close proximity, I at Jos and he in Zaria, meant that we soon became more of peers than older and younger brother but no matter how close we got, he still remained Broda to me.

My brother had been ill for close to a year for what was diagnosed as pile or Haemorrhoids. He fluctuated between periods of wellness and illness but it never went beyond a stomach ache or diarrhea. Then on December 19, 2009, he called me to say he was vomiting blood and I asked him to go see my doctor immediately. He drove there himself and was admitted but when I saw him the next day at the hospital, I experienced a sudden and inexplicable panic attack; my brother was at death's door.

The thought came to me without a diagnosis; the mere sight of my brother with his distended stomach and emaciated frame left me in tears and I remember walking downstairs blinded by my tears as I bawled like a baby. The last time I saw him was a mere 12 days earlier and in that short span of time my brother had undergone some severe depreciation. I hadn't yet gotten a grip of myself when I re-entered his room and one look at me and he said "You are crying for me, abi? So, what do you want me to do?"

Things moved pretty fast in the next few days. My doctor, a thorough and methodical man, who had seen him about three months earlier was upset that my brother never came back for the test he had asked him to undergo, didn't have a good prognosis. I recall his exact words: "I suspect he has a growth in his stomach which is causing a blockage. I just hope it is not malignant. You know what malignant is?" I know what malignant is but what is a man without hope. My brother underwent a CT Scan on Monday and by the time I walked into the hospital that Monday evening and was summoned to the doctor's consulting room, I suddenly realised that my life was about to change in a way I had never imagined.

The doctor showed me an x-ray film that had been placed against a light box. It turned out that he, not being an oncologist, had placed it wrongly. But the full picture would emerge a short while later when we were joined by another doctor, a surgeon who had been summoned from Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). The diagnosis was dire. My brother had Cancer of the Colon. It had spread or metastized from the Colon to the liver and latched on to a bone. The large intestine was completely gone so he could no longer pass waste. The immediate imperative was to open him up, drain the waste, perform a colonoscopy and drill a hole through his tummy from where he would pass waste. My brother's life was changing irreversibly too.
"How bad is this?" I asked sweeping aside all the arcane medical terms.
"Sit down," the doctor said and I did. My doctor for about nine years now, I have always trusted his judgement.

And so he told me what to expect. He said Cancer is a disease that destroys and impoverishes families and there is scant chance of the person getting better. He also said that right now, aside from Malaria and Road accidents, Cancer has become the third highest killer of young people in Nigeria. But he did add a caveat, "We are doctors, but we can never rule out miracles."
I left them and walked outside into the gathering dusk, tottering like a drunk. I was confused and depressed. My brother was just 41. He had a wife and three kids. The eldest, like mine, was just six going on seven. He was by every definition of the term, a young man.

I walked the length of the street, then sat on a slab and cried like a baby, the second doctor's words echoing in my head: "what we can talk about now is quality of life not quantity of life." The sub-text was clear, there was a shroud hanging over my brother's head; he was living on borrowed time. How much time, was what no one could say. My parents were upstairs and in the dark with regard to the diagnosis but I told the doctor I needed my brother to know. The doctors wanted to know if I was sure and I told them that my brother is a fighter and if he knows he will fight for his life the way a horse would; with all his strength.

So, we went upstairs, asked everyone to leave and told him. He was calm and his only question was: "When is the surgery? Tonight?" He didn't sleep that night. The pain and anxiety kept him awake and by 6am, he was already in the theatre. It lasted all of three hours and my brother was out looking rested, relieved and relaxed for the first time since he checked into that hospital. But it was a mirage. The cancer had done serious damage. I remember the surgeon wringing his hands as he spoke to me after the surgery. He was almost in tears. His eyes were red and he kept saying "Ah, he should have come earlier. He should have come earlier."
My brother's blood and system had been poisoned by the waste that had burst in his stomach. He was given powerful antibiotics and we were told that the next 24 hours were critical. His liver had also been damaged by the cancer which had spread all the way up and as we all know, we have only one liver. There is no spare unlike the kidney. He slept. He rested and we even spoke but by 7 p.m., everything went down hill as he went into what they call extremities. His blood pressure was fluctuating like a yoyo as his system began shutting down from Acute Septicemia or blood poisoning. It was heartbreaking to watch him expire in degrees. He cried, begging for water, as his lips caked over from dehydration. And for the first time since he took ill, I saw my brother show fear as he watched the doctors and nurses scurrying about looking for what to do to stabilise him. And as I watched them, I leaned close to him and said "Broda, you have fought this thing. Just pray and rest."

He died hours later in the intensive care unit of our hospital in Surulere. And his death threw up many issues for us. First, is the quality of health care in Nigeria and the parlous state of our health care system. A qualified doctor had treated him for over one year for pile while the actual disease, Cancer of the Colon ravaged his body, running wild and destroying healthy cells. It makes you wonder whether we now train butchers instead of life-savers.

Secondly, at about 8pm, the surgeon had suggested that we move him to another hospital where they had better Intensive Care equipment. There were two options. LUTH and a private hospital in Apapa. Calls were made. LUTH was available but there was no light. So, we were left with the private hospital option. They demanded a one million naira deposit. When we said we could afford it, another call was placed explaining his situation at which point, the hospital said they wouldn't accept him because the prognosis didn't look good and they didn't want to appear fraudulent.

The President can fly to Saudi Arabia, at our expense, where there are Intensive Care units every mile and the light never blinks. But how many of us hapless tax payers can walk into a government hospital and come out with an analgesic? That, not my brother's untimely and avoidable death, is the real tragedy. Happy 42nd birthday, Broda and rest in peace.

Toni Kan is a popular Nigerian writer,columnist and company executive

I SLEPT WITH A TIGER!! SO WHAT?

2009-12-13T16:34:00.003+01:00

I am so full of pity for Tiger Woods,since he was caught by the tail of his bedmatics Tees.I just feel that we are being too quick to kill this Tiger.A case of casting the first stone,brothers? The guy was only being hu-MAN. Huh? Seriously,I think if we end up killing this Tiger,we just won't have another Tiger of this make again in the golf course anywhere in the world. Painfully,the guy has said he is taking a break off Golf.But,will it still be the same again when he decides to return? Don't think so.

CHRISTMAS TURNS YELLOW..

2009-12-05T15:48:00.003+01:00

Telecoms giant, MTN Nigeria unveiled a grand pre-lit 40 feet Y’ello Christmas tree yesterday,Friday, December 4, 2009 at the courtyard of its Corporate Headquarters, Golden Plaza,Falomo-Ikoyi.,Lagos
The official unveiling was performed by the company's Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer, Bola Akingbade.It was fun all the way,especially as those who came for the occasion dressed with a touch of yellow colour won surprise gift items.
But know what?I missed the event by a stroke of fate,just the same way I missed being at 'The Experience' music festival at the TBS,Lagos.Let me leave that story for some other time.

Happy Yuletide season to ya all!

WALKING FOR HOPE

2009-11-28T11:47:00.003+01:00

Christmas reminder.....

Dance drama at the Stadium

At Jibowu Bridge,Lagos

The walks front line

Conveying the messages

Happy volunteers

All 'Y'ello-ed up....

Been AWOL.Had so many things I have been sorting out that kept me off Blogsphere. But I am back now.

Was in Lagos,Saturday 21st November 2009 where I participated in The Great Hope Walk,an annual event organised by Hope Worldwide, aimed at focusing global attention on the plights of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC).

The 2009 Great Hope walk event which was funded by MTN Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the telecoms giant,MTN Nigeria,was marked with events in the six geo-political zones across the country-Lagos,Abuja,Cross River,Kogi,and Sokoto states.

The Lagos event was a 10km walk which started from the Maryland Roundabout,near the St. Agnes Catholic Church and finished at the National Stadium, Surulere. Among the Yellow T-Shirts adorning crowd made up of people of all works of life,mostly NGOs,schools,corporate and religious organisations, were many kids,some as little as 4-years old who saw the walk as an opportunity to catch real fun. I also sighted the charismatic Chief strategist and principal consultant of Adstrat BMC,Charles O'Tudor and ex-Soundcity TV and ex-Malta Guinness Street Dance anchor,Deji Falope was there with his power bike. I saw him using the Power bike to assist in traffic control during the walk all the way to the stadium.Nigerian Bottling Company,NBC had some of their personnels at hand to distribute free bottles of chilled Eva water .Participants were later entertained with a dance drama,music and jokes at the stadium.A raffle draw was also held.

2009-09-19T19:05:00.000+01:00

Got this from an email sent in by a very dear friend.It's worth sharing.

WOULD YOU GO BACK?
You have this friend since Junior Secondary School and after SeniorSecondary School both of you lost contact with each other. But she is someone really special to you, and you're someone very special to her too.
Five years later you receive a phone call from her.
"Hi, I'll visit you" she says.
"Hi, Sue, when?" you ask her.
"Just wait for me" she replies.
It seems weird but you prepare for her coming anyway.
One rainy night you hear a knock on the door. And you're surprised to see that it's your friend Sue. Losing touch for ten years is so long and you start talking about everything. Then both of you even go to your room upstairs. Suddenly there is a power outage, but the two of you continue talking by candle light.
Then the phone rings.
"I'll just get the phone downstairs," you say.
"No, don't get it, we're in the middle of our talk," she says.
"It might be important," you say.
"Okay if you say so, but promise me you'll be back," she says.
You promise her a million times that you'll be back.
Then you run downstairs to answer the phone.
"Hello," you say.
"Hello," says the person on the line.
"Yeah?" you say, wondering who it is.
"I'm calling on behalf of Sue's family. They had an accident and her parents are in the hospital right now," he says.
"How are they?" you ask.
He continues, "They are injured but stable. But I'm sorry to say that Sue died. We found your name and phone number in Sue's purse...
"His voice trails off as you look up at the long stairs...

WOULD YOU GO BACK AS YOU HAVE PROMISED?

TO TED WITH LOVE

2009-08-30T03:48:00.004+01:00

Edward Moore 'Ted' Kennedy

‘We do not weep for him today because of the prestige attached to his name or his office.
We weep because we loved this kind and tender hero who persevered through pain and tragedy – not for the sake of ambition or vanity; not for wealth or power; but only for the people and the country he loved.''

-Barack Obama,at late Senator Ted Kennedy's memorial mass

I hope that Nigerian politicians and poli-thiefcians can see through the lines of this speech

MUCH ADO ABOUT CASTER

2009-08-22T11:23:00.004+01:00

Will Caster still have the last laugh?

Too masculine for a lady?

Caster..built for controversy?

Caster...with her school mates

Caster's birth certificate

''No one ever said I was not a girl,but here (in Berlin) I am not.I am not a boy.Why did you bring me here? You should have left me in my village at home.''
-Semenya Caster

''There is something dangling between her legs-thats obvious-and shes got an Adam apple.''

-An unamed Australian sports officer

''From the time she could walk,Caster only wanted to play with boys,Her three elder sisters wore dresses as little girls do,but Caster refused.She has never had a skirt,only trousers.

I knew she was different to the others and even now if you speak to her on the telephone,you might mistake her for a man.But I used to change her nappy and I know she is a woman.What better proof do people need?''

-Jacob Semanya (Caster's father)

''She never had a boyfriend.She doesn't like boys.But that doesn't mean she is not a girl.''

-Deborah Morolong (Caster's best childhood friend)

''Some schools,suspecting that she was not a girl,even demanded that her status be checked.But each time they returned from the toilet,she would be cleared...we would ask her why they had taken her to the toilet and she would just say ''they are doubting me'',without explaining further.''

-Moloko Rapetsoa (Caster's school teacher)

''She comes from me.I gave birth to that girl,she came from my womb..its my girl.''

-Dorcus Semenya (Caster's Mother)

HAPPY B'DAY MADIBA!

2009-07-19T07:35:00.003+01:00

French's First Lady,Carla Bruni

Steve Wonder...singing his hit track Happy Birthday

Alicia keys..supported by the Soweto Gospel Choir

Nelson Mandela

It was the sage's 91st birthday yesterday. South African's president,Jacob Zuma described Mandela as an 'inspiration to the world',in a .

And also,on Saturday night at the Radio City Music Hall in New York,a gala was held in commemoration of Mandela's birthday.The big stars were there and they performed.The Queen of soul, Aretha Franklin,who is looking very radiant and far from her 67 years in age, received the loudest ovation for her scintillating performance.Alicia Keys,Steve Wonder,Lil' Kim,Cindy Lauper,Queen Latifah,Soweto Gospel Choir and wait for this-Carla Bruni,wife of the French Prime Minister,Mr Sarkozy, all performed,in the show hosted by Hollywood star,Whoopi Goldberg,but could not be attended by the celebrant.

WHERE IS OYIN?

2009-07-12T20:31:00.003+01:00

Push-Button Publishing
Blog has been removed
Sorry, the blog at kinshar.blogspot.com has been removed. This address is not available for new blogs.

The above is the message I get each time I try logging on to Oyin's site of recent.I am lost as to what went wrong.I really missed reading her crazy postings especially her 'Wordless Wednesdays'. Please can someone tell me how to reach Oyin?

AT MADONNA'S MERCY

2009-07-12T19:45:00.005+01:00

Madonna with Mercy and David in Paris recently

David and Mercy James

Remember the controversies that almost stopped pop Icon,Madonna from adopting those children from Malawi? I have followed the lives of these kids with so much keen interest since they moved in with Madonna and I know their lives just couldn't have been better off for it.Seeing a recent picture of the two kids in an outing in Paris I just concluded that these kids were destined by God to escape the tragedy that life in Malawi would have unleashed on them.For Mercy James,it is quite true that some few months back getting to eat a nice meal at the orphanage where she was kept in Malawi was almost a mere wish.But today,this little kid is having the entire woprld at her finger tip.This speaks so much of the ways of God.You just never know what He has in stock for you next moment.

Keep the faith.

BIAFRA IN GHANA.

2009-07-12T15:41:00.003+01:00

Who say Nigeria was not well represented in Ghana during President Obama's visit? Some groups of Nigerians were there with placards and flags in support of Biafra.But what I don't understand is how the Biafran issue concerns Obama and Ghana. Just like the Hausa proverb that goes thus;ina ruwan Angulu de kiso

? What is the Vultures business with hair plaiting?

BETWEEN REUBEN ABATI AND BANKY W's GENERATION

2009-06-28T07:07:00.005+01:00

'' Music is about sense, sound, shape and skills. But there is an on-going deficit in all other aspects except sound. So much sound is being produced in Nigeria, but there is very little sense, shape and skills. They call it hip-hop. They try to imitate Western hip pop stars. They even dress like them. The boys don't wear trousers on their waists: the new thing is called "sagging", somewhere below the waist it looks as if the trouser is about to fall off. The women are struggling to expose strategic flesh as Janet Jackson once did. The boys and the girls are cloaked in outlandish jewellery ... Well, God Almighty, we are in your hands.''

At public functions, they mime. They are not artists, they perform. They are not necessarily composers, they dance. The more terrible ones can't even sing a correct musical note. They talk. And they are all businessmen and women. They are more interested in commerce and self-advertisement, name recognition, brand extension and memory recall! They want a name that sells, not some culturally conditioned name that is tied down to culture and geography. But the strange thing is that they are so successful. Nollywood has projected Nigeria, the next big revelations are in hip hop.

In Nigeria, it is now possible to hold a party without playing a single foreign musical track, the great grand children of Nigerian music are belting out purely danceable sounds which excites the young at heart. But the output belongs majorly to the age of meaningless and prurience. The lyrics says it all.
-Reuben Abati

''We want to learn but your generation has to teach. We want to read but the Government must provide libraries. We want to go to school but the lecturers keep going on strike. We want to travel but previous generations messed up so they won’t give out visas. Most of prefer having our own live bands but the income needed to support that is not forthcoming.''

''You speak of meaninglessness and prurience, identity crisis and moral turpitude. You praise Legends like Fela Anikulakpo-Kuti and you ridicule us. 9ice does not drink or smoke. eLDee is married to one wife. Olu Maintain does not drink. Naeto C is currently obtaining his Masters’ degree in England. The ironic thing is, we look up to and praise your generation too.''

-Banky W

Banky W in sheer youthful exuberance,took what was a honest and objective assessment by Reuben Abati too personal and ended up making little or no sense in his response. I see this as the proverbial case of the child who challenged his father to a wrestling match,but eventually got overwhelmed by the father's testicles.

I have been following the controversy these articles have generated and I know we haven't heard the last of it.

WAS IT WORTH IT?

2009-06-26T23:32:00.004+01:00

I am still as shocked as many who watched the 26 years old Iranian girl,Neda Agha Soltan dying on YouTube,after being shot by agents believed to be that of the government last Saturday,during street protests over that country's June 12 presidential elections.

As outraged as the entire world was and still is,over the senseless killing,the President Ahmadenejad's led government have not offered words of consolation to the family of the slained girl.

Even though Neda is now being described as a Martyr,come to think of it,was this whole shame worth sacrificing such a beautiful and promising soul all in the name of a presidential election?

Today,supporters of the defeated candidate,Mirohussein Mousavi plan to release thousands of balloons with the message ''Neda,you will always remain in our hearts.''

True words indeed!

GONE...BUT NOT FOREVER!

2009-06-26T23:07:00.002+01:00

Adieu Micheal Joseph Jackson!

HOT,HOT HALLE BERRY

2009-05-31T15:46:00.004+01:00

Yesterday,30th May 2009 at Spikes TV 2009 'Guys Choice' award held at Sony Studios,Los Angeles,Hollywoods hottest all-time actress, Halle Berry was honoured with the Decade of hotness award.

She actually displayed her 'hotness' when she engaged Jammie Foxx,who presented the award to her, in a passionate and somewhat provocative lips kissing,with Jammie giving her a hard squeeze on her buttocks.She responded by grabbing Jammie's crotch! Her fans felt this was quite too far.She should have handled herself a bit more better and maturedly.

PROF. WOLE SOYINKA'S MOMENTS

2009-05-29T00:11:00.004+01:00

Watched Nobel Laureate,Professor Wole Soyinka on Mo Abudu's Moments With Mo on DStv's African Magic channel. It was the vintage Wole Soyinka. I couldn't help laughing my ribs out when asked by Mo to rate the Nigerian former President,Olusegun Obasanjo as a student of his. The Prof. replied that ''Obasanjo was a complete failed student!''He even added something like He (Obasanjo) needing a Psychiatrist, with the Psychiatrist's result having to be thoroughly examined and analysed by another senior Psychiatrist,before it can be duly considered. Haba, Prof.! This is sounding like the case of Mad Men and Specialist.

MTN's SOCIAL EVENING IN OWERRI

2009-05-28T23:03:00.006+01:00

Guest artiste,Sonny Bobo of the 'Sonny Bobo' music fame thrilling guests

Some Guests at the event .

Nollywood's Star,Victor Osuagwu

Sonny Bobo ......performing

A cross section of guests

I had great fun this evening when Nigeria's Telecoms giant MTN fetted its staff and customers to a 'Social evening in Owerri',an event of entertainment and relaxation held at All Seasons Hotel,Owerri. According to a top Marketing Executive of the company,the social evening was ''essentially brand positioning and values evening aimed at bringing product information,offerings and benefits.''.Commenting further,she said ''By creating this atmosphere of camaraderie and care which is largely targeted at our customers and potential ones,we intend to grow enormous goodwill,brand affinity and bonding.''

Guest Musician at the event was 'Old skool highlife exponent' Sonny Bobo of the Sonny Bobo 'looking yash,killing goat' fame performed tracks from his hit album,Uduakpuenyi.Also,Nollywood star actor ,Victor Osuagwu was at the show. Prominent MTN Trade partners and dealers in Owerri graced the show too,along with a good number of MTN staff from the Eastern regional office led by the Regional Marketing Officer.It was indeed an evening of fun.

CHAMPIONS SET TO TACKLE NIGERIA'S CORRUPTION

2009-05-09T18:30:00.004+01:00

Champions For Nigeria Meeting & Barbeque
All Champions all over the world are invited, but we know many live outside the UK, however, if you happen to be in London, we will be glad to see you. We will also use the Occasion to discuss our next BIG PROJECT, which is already in the pipeline.
Date:August 1st, 2009, 2pm
Location:London, UK
Address:31 Solomons Passage Peckham Rye London SE15 3UH

Special thanks to Akintokunbo Adejumo,the Global Coordinator for Champions For Nigeria for this invitation.

ACHEBE:AN AFRICAN VOICE STILL FRESH

2009-05-09T16:38:00.005+01:00

Took these pictures when Prof. Chinua Achebe featured on CNN's African voices.He was interviewed by 'our own' Lola Ogunnaike.Apart from his writings,another thing that thrills so much me about Achebe,is his voice. Age has not affected the emotion in the old man's voice. I remember back in the days when I always had a Cassette ready so as to ensure that I record his interviews or talks on BBC Radio or Voice Of America.

WHEN MY FRIENDS TIED THE NUPTIAL KNOTS

2009-05-03T17:59:00.003+01:00

The month of April was indeed fun. I tried being here and there trying to catch up with one thing or the other.I had wedding invitations from two of my real good friends,Amaka Anyanwu and Lawrence Omadiaga to attend.I couldn't just find any reason not to. Amaka had her traditional wedding at Inyishi,in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo state,Eastern Nigeria.She got married to Pharmacist Emeka Osegbo.

Lawrence 'Lawrenzo' Omadiaga took beautiful Irene Usifo to the Altar at Mother The Reedeemer Catholic Church, Warri,Delta State,Mid-western Nigeria. The happy pictures tells the rest of the story.

I wish my friends blissful married lives.

MASQUERADE DANCE FROM OGBONA

2009-05-03T17:28:00.003+01:00

I had some swell time at Ogbona,Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State,Mid-western Nigeria during the last Easter watching the best of Anvwianwu Masquerade dance popularly called Illo.The masquerades were so colorful and a real beauty to behold.Ogbona and Etsako land in general have a very rich dance and music culture. Ogbona is home to Etsako leading music stars,Chief Benji Igbadumhe,Late 'General' Bolivia Osigbemhe and Young Constantinople Bolivia,who has very well taking over leadership of his late father's (Gen.Bolivia) band.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

2009-05-03T17:09:00.002+01:00

''We make a living by what we get,

we make a life by what we give.''

-Sir Winston Churchill

The pictures above were taken during my recent visit to Ogbona town,in Etsako Central Local Government area of Edo state,Mid-western Nigeria.Ever since God created the world this community has been utterly neglected by successive corrupt governments.Lacking in all basic infrastructures, the community resigned itself to fate. But not for Mr Peter Odior Dunia,a young Oil magnet and CEO Of Oceanwave Marine Oil and Gas Limited,who single-handedly asphalt tarred all the major roads and streets of about 15km in the community with proper drainages to go along.

Today,Ogbona is a far cry from the red dust and mud that always welcome its visitors before.The town is wearing a new look and you can see the feelings right in the face of the town's people,all because one young man decided to make a difference in his community.In these times where most wealthy Nigerians are so self centered,Peter Dunia could have used that money to buy himself a private Jet,an out-of-this-world car,or build a one-in-town Million Dollar Mansion.

On the 7th of March 2009,Adams Oshiomhole was in Ogbona to commission the roads constructed by Peter Dunia.I wonder what was going through his mind then because as sure as death,like his predecessors,tarring roads in communities like Ogbona would have been the last thing on his mind.

As stated in the road commissioning plaque,the road project was embarked upon as part of Oceanwave's ''corporate social responsibility to the society'' and also ''...to the Glory of God and the use of the people of Ogbona and its environs.'' Ogbona people are happier for it and Peter Dunia richer, as all the people I met out there are so full of praises and prayers for him. May God bless him real good.

PROUDLY MADE IN ABA,NIGERIA

2009-04-18T17:34:00.000+01:00

Tie...made from Ankara

flip-flop and Hand-made Sandal

Picked up these items from a road-side shop, when I visited Aba,the commercial nerve centre of Eastern Nigeria and the home to Enyimba Football club,two time Confederation of African Champion's Leagues winner.I was marvelled by the rugged ingenuity,industry,hardwork,dedication and ruthlessness that the typical Aba man exudes.I was very impressed and proud of the indigenous industrialist who litters all nooks and crannies of the city-from Shirts and Suits makers at Cameroun Road,to Shoe,sandals and Belt makers at Powerline/Bakassi area on Faulks road to the desperate traders at Ariara International Market who are ready to deploy all tricks they know just to convince you to buy from them,even when you don't need such items.

I just wish the Nigerian government will give all the necessary financial and technical support to transform the business face of Aba.

TONI KAN'S NEW SONG

2009-03-29T16:49:00.003+01:00

Toni Kan

Only recently,he woke up from The Nights Of The Creaking Bed. Now prolific writer Toni Kan Onwordi is singing Songs Of Absence And Despair,a new collection of Poetry.This is Toni Kan's second collection of poetry.He had earlier written When The Dream Lingers Too Long

This tireless writer's pen won't just stop scribbling.Kudos to Toni for this one as we look forward to more great works from him.

Pictures courtesy of Jeremy Weates

MADONNA:PLEASE,CAN YOU COME AND ADOPT ME!

2009-03-27T13:58:00.004+01:00

Mercy James..soon to be adopted by Madonna

Madonna and David Banda

...An African child..waiting for the next Celebrity adoption

Music diva,legend and mum-extraordinaire,Madonna is heading back to Malawi to adopt a 14-month old baby girl named Mercy James,who is an orphan in the Mchunji Home of Hope Orphanage.

In 2006,Madonna adopted then 11 months-old David Banda.Ever since,the little boy have been enjoying a good life in New York,far from the maddening poverty fate would have subjected him to if Madge hadn't reached out to alter his destiny.I honestly commend Madonna for her kind-heartedness.

Madonna is facing a lot of opposition and criticisms from Children charities and adoption groups both from and outside Malawi, since her recent adoption plans were made public. Maxwell Matewerere of the Malawian rights group,'Eye of the child' seems most vocal.According to him:

''In the absence of a husband,it is important to properly access the scenario.She really needs to demonstrate...that despite her being a single mother she has got a capacity to care for the child she is trying to adopt.'' Andrew Cate of SOS Villages laments that 'for the cost of bringing up this child (Mercy) in Madonna's lifestyle,you could pay for 50 children in Malawi to have a secure upbringing and a nice home..'

Madonna is expected to be in Malawi on March 30th to complete the adoption process. In most typical African settings,growing up as a child could be really harrowing.Poverty and civil strifes are the order of the day.Corrupt leaders who have long lost their conscience are not bothered by the plight of the African child.Today,the African child looks up to no future as there is barely none to look up to.If truth must be told,a lot of Africa parents will willingly give up their entire families for adoption to the likes of Madonna and Angelina Jolie,if only to ease them of the harsh realities of raising these kids in the face of gruelling poverty,political crisis and corruption.There have been cases where parents have been forced to sell one of their child just to enable them cater for the rest or give them out as House-helps to strangers in order to keep life going.

So,when Western celebrities like Madonna and Angelina Jolie give some of these African kids a new lease of life through adoption,they must be highly commended and encouraged.

ADIEU JADE GODDY!

2009-03-22T18:25:00.005+01:00

Did Jade Goody intentionally waited for today,being Mother's Day to keep her destiny with death or that death waited till this day to take her away?

She did put up a very courageous fight in the face of an imminent death.

Goodbye Jade.May you find eternal rest in the warm embrace of the Lord.

Adieu!

NOLLYWOOD OR NOLLY-STICK?

2009-03-10T00:11:00.004+01:00

Nollywood..not yet what it ought to be.

FESPACO 2009

Nigerian born Newton Aduaka with The Stallion award..at FESPACO 2007

At the recently concluded African film festival- FESPACO,held in Ouagadougou,Burkina Fasso,Ethiopian film,Teza won the Golden Stallion of Yennenga.Coming second was South Africa's entry Nothing But The Truth,while Algerian comedy Mascarades won the Bronze.There was nothing Nigerian near even the least brass that was for picks at the festival.Yet,the Nigerian movie industry was reported to have had the highest representation of officials and celebrities who graced the occasion-from Nigeria's films Corporation's Afolabi Adesanya to Joke Jacobs to Osita Iheme and Chinedu Ikedieze (of the Aki and Paw-paw fame),to Peace Anyiam-Osigwe,C.E.O of the African(?) Movie Academy Awards-AMAA,Keppy Epeyong and Fred Amata,to mention just a few.That was quite ridiculous.If Nigeria was not picking the festival's top prize,what then was that Nollywood crowd doing at Ouagadougou? Just to strut the red carpets in self delusion as Africa's best movie stars? I learnt that the 2009 AMAA's nominees list was unveiled at Ouagadougou.Haba!

The first and only time a Nigerian won the African films top prize was in the 2007 edition when Nigerian born British based film director ,Newton Aduaka won the Golden Stallion for his film Ezra,which was about the Sierra Leonian war.

The truth must be told:Nigerian home made vids,erroneously called movies, are grossly marred by ineptitude,lacking in technicalities and contents.Most painful is the fact that nothing is being done to correct this anomaly.Instead,we are so proud showcasing much of this mediocrity and even equating it to Hollywood. This is where the Nollywood problem lies.

By now,I expect those that call the shots in Nollywood to be very much concerned about why and how a South African made movie named TOTSI, won an Oscar some few years back or why Franco-phone and North African made movies are always dominating FESPACO and what then can be done to make Nigerian movies as good or even better than what other leading African film-makers are doing.

WHEN THE DEVIL STRUCK!

2009-03-09T19:37:00.003+01:00

The young girl in the above picture is little Miss Elizabeth Lawal,aged 9.She was killed by a very close friend to her family,Mr Abudulahi Olalekan,25,who allegedly raped her,by penetrating her through the anus at about 8pm on 18th January right at her home in Ibadan.

According to reports,Olalekan who was very close to the victim's family had visited when the father of the girl was not around.The girl's mother who works in a local hospital,had trusted the man so much that she left her two children in his care until her husband returns from work,while she left for her work at the hospital where she was on night duty.

As soon as Olalekan realised that the coast was clear to perpetrate his diabolical act,he sent Elizabeth's younger sister on an errand. With the little girl now at his mercy,he went ahead to rape her,not through the vigina but through the anus and warned her sternly not to tell anyone unless she was ready to die.

Scared stiff of dying,the little girl didn't tell anyone what transpired until when she started having pains and bleeding from her anus.

As is always the case,the accused is blaming the Devil for the act.He has been remanded in custody while hearing has been adjourned to 30th March 2009.

It is most likely that the accused will be sentenced to life imprisonment which is the punishment for child rape in Nigeria.I feel this is just not enough.Why not start by 'manually' castrating and severing his Devil's instrument of havoc before the court sentence him to Hell!

SOUNDCITY PREMIUM:STEPPING UP NIGERIAN MUSIC

2009-03-07T15:35:00.004+01:00

Better part of last week I was hooked unto the test transmission of Soundcity's SoundcityPremium Music Television on DStv's channel 133.Now,it has resumed full transmission on channel 327.I feel really happy and proud of this development.

What makes SoundcityPremium unique is that it is a truly Nigerian thing,with lots of 'Naijacentric' flavors.

Soundcity is Nigeria's foremost music channel that has encouraged the production of quality music video by Nigerian acts and have equally projected many of these act on the global stage.With what I have watched so far,Soundcity has good programming and presentations.There is a good mix of Nigerian and foreign content.

The emergence of Soundcity on the same platform where South Africa's Channel O,Trace,MTV and MTV Base have held sway is a very strong indication that Nigerian music television has finally come to maturity.

Tajuddeen Adepetu and his team at Souncity must be commended for this bold step aimed at putting Nigerian Music television where it should rightly be.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2009

2009-03-07T09:31:00.004+01:00

Imagine a world without women!

8th March is observed as International Women's Day. Men use the day to honour the special women in their lives-their mothers,wives,daughters and (Girl) friends.

Use this day and opportunity to thank and appreciate all those special women in your life.

I am starting here: Special thanks to all the great ladies who have made life so beautiful and interesting in Blogsville-Standtall,Yankeenaijababe,Jaycee,Vera,Remi,Stella Dimokokorkus, Bellanaija,Linda,Funmi,Exschoolnerd,Overwhelmed,Uzezi,Solomonsydelle,Afrobabe,Zoe,Diamondhawk,Good Nigerian Girl,Pink-satin,Oyin,Rita,Aloted......

List is endless...

Happy Women's Day!

HORROR:NINE-YEAR-OLD BRAZILIAN GIRL TO ABORT FOUR MONTHS OLD PREGNANCY FOR STEP-FATHER!

2009-03-01T14:08:00.004+01:00

A nine-year-old girl pregnant after years of alleged sexual abuse by her stepfather is likely to abort twins she is carrying in a case that has shocked Brazil, reports in Sao Paulo said on Saturday.

The Brazilian girl, who was not identified because she is a minor, was found to be four months pregnant after being taken to hospital suffering stomach pains, the news websites G1, pe360graus and the Diario de Pernambuco reported.

She was being cared for by a medical and psychological team in the Maternal-Child Institude in the northern city of Recife, close to her hometown of Alagoinha in Pernambuco state, they said.

"We don't know if she will develop the pregnancy up to the end because of the structure of her body. It is a big risk for her," the doctor who confirmed her pregnancy before she was taken to the institute, Jose Severiano Cavalcanti, told the Diario de Pernambuco.

"She doesn't have a pelvis able to support a gestation of twins," he explained.

Abortion is illegal in Brazil except in cases of rape or if the woman's health is in danger.

The institute in Recife was unable to immediately confirm information about the case, telling AFP that authorised spokespeople were not available on the weekend.

According to police accounts reported in the media, the 23-year-old stepfather was believed to have abused the girl since she was aged six, paying her one Brazilian real (about 57 US cents) for each sexual relation. He also allegedly abused the girl's physically handicapped 14-year-old sister.

He was arrested on Thursday as he attempted to flee to another region in Brazil, and was being kept in protective custody.

Pernambuco's state secretary for social development and human rights, Roldao Joaquim, was quoted on the website JC Online as saying the suspect "should pay for his savagery".

If convicted, the suspect faces up to 15 years in prison.

(c) AFP 2009

HMMM.THE EVIL THAT SOME MEN DO...

NIGERIA MONITOR-FOR A NEW AND BETTER NIGERIA

2009-03-01T13:04:00.006+01:00

''It makes you angry when you hear that billions of dollars are siphoned by corrupt government officials who are getting filthy rich at the expense of native Nigerians who are starving, can’t get drinking water and don’t even have basic toilet facilities.Your heart hurts for your family and friends back home, who are oppressed, miserable and poverty stricken under tyrannical rule despite being surrounded by rich oil resources.You cringe with guilt for having the benefit of a good education and a comfortable life while your countrymen live in shanties, can’t learn to read, can’t leave and don’t have a decent road on which to travel.It makes you ache to think you might never step foot again in the country you love and call home.The problems and government in Nigeria seem so insurmountable, far away and massive in scope, you feel utterly powerless to do anything.We can make a differenceBut you are not powerless. You are not alone. You can do more than talk. You can inspire change. Peacefully. And who else other than us will have the passion to inspire such change?

Your Participation Counts .Absolutely nothing you have ever done or will ever do in your entire life will mean more to you than this.

Check out how you can get involved and ensure a better Nigeria here.''

Special thanks to Kwasi Akweapong of The Blacklist Pub who sent the above piece to me.

MARGUERITE BARANKITSE:AFRICA'S UNSUNG MOTHER TERESA

2009-03-01T11:46:00.000+01:00

Ms. Marguerite Barankitse,Founder of the Maison Shalom NGO
An outstanding Burundian! Ms. Marguerite Barankitse, holder of an honorary doctorate from Université de Louvain, carries on a courageous battle for peace and reconciliation in her native Burundi. A tireless worker, she has dedicated her life to child victims of war. Marguerite—or Maggie as she prefers to be called—was born in 1956 in the village of Nyamutobo. Orphaned at a tender age, she attended a convent boarding school in Bujumbura, where she received a top-notch education. Having resolved to devote herself to teaching, she traveled 12 km on foot every day to attend normal school in Ruyigi and after graduation taught from 1979 to 1981. From 1981 to 1983, she undertook lay religious training at the Auxilium in Lourdes. Once back in Burundi, she took up teaching again in Ruyigi, but her teaching license was revoked when she refused to apply the policy of separation by ethnicity. She left to study in Switzerland on a scholarship before returning to Ruyigi to become secretary to the bishop.
Called to lay celibacy, Marguerite Barankitse adopted seven Hutu and Tutsi children, including a Hutu girl named Chloé Ndayikunda, whose parents had been killed during the genocide of 1972. In October 1993, with the political situation deteriorating, Maggie hid dozens of Hutu adults and children at the bishop’s palace in Ruyigi. On Sunday morning, October 24, Tutsi assailants armed with clubs, machetes, and rocks attacked the palace. Maggie tried to intervene, but they knocked her aside and tied her to a chair in the courtyard, then slaughtered 72 people before her eyes and set the building on fire. After the massacre, a Rusengo student freed her in exchange for the keys to the storeroom. Bribing the rebels with money, Maggie managed to save 25 Hutu children from the burning building and hide them in the cemetery. Then as night fell, she went to get help from a German aid worker, Martin Novack, who provided them with a safe haven. Finding unexpected strength in her anger and outrage, but above all in her unwavering faith in divine providence and her love of life, she slowly but surely, in constant peril of her life, established Maison Shalom. She first set up in a run-down school on loan from the Bishop of Ruyigi. As the genocide persisted, dozens and then hundreds of children sought refuge with Maggie. To feed them all, Maggie harvested crops from family land. As the war dragged on, Maggie decided to work the land with the children to produce food. She organized a mutual assistance system irrespective of tribe, religion, and social origin, in which her older charges looked after the younger ones.
At first, her work was funded by grants from Germany. Later, thanks to friends she had made during her time in Europe, international aid has helped support many additional projects. She opened two more centers for traumatized and injured children: Oasis of Peace and House of Peace. To help provide a future for these growing children, Maison Shalom developed into a network of “villages,” where the children could grow and develop within “families,” and take their lives in hand. For Maggie, the top priority remains to teach these children peace and forgiveness. To date, Maison Shalom has helped over 50,000 children and adults. In July, 2007, the mother-child center—built by the Belgian and Burundian armies on land belonging to Maggie’s family and donated to the Maison Shalom NGO—was inaugurated. In addition, a 120 bed hospital called “Rema,” (an expression of comfort and support in Kirundi) is slated to open in 2008.
Maggie is both the Mother Theresa and the Abbé Pierre of Burundi. Her message, “Love always triumphs,” echoes time and again as she travels the world. “Evil will never have the final word. Faith and love can move mountains of hate.” Maggie is proud to display her faith. “It is prayer that keeps me going. The Eucharist is my source of true courage,” she says. In recognition of her humanitarian and peace-building efforts, Maggie has received numerous international awards.

Excerpted from www..cei2008.ca/en/biomargueritebarankitse.

BETWEEN US,THE TEENAGE BABY-MAKERS AND GOD

2009-02-19T22:17:00.009+01:00

Roll back the tapes of your life.Pause it at the scenes when you were 13-years-old and then 15. Probably,you were in your late Primary or early Junior Secondary class.What was on your mind then? Definately,not sex,pregnancy or becoming a Papa 'Bomboy' or Mama 'Bomgirl' at such tender age.You just couldn't imagine it happening.

Two British teens who ought to still be tucked right under their parent's Aprons, pulled a very crazy one just before Valentine's day, when 15-year -old Chantelle Stedman delivered a baby girl weighing 7lb 30z christened Maisie Roxanne.It was most shocking when a baby faced 13 year-old Alfie Patten, who had barely come out of nappies admitted to being the father.

Chantelle smartly summed up the whole drama in these words:'We know we made a mistake but I wouldn't change it now.We will be good,loving parents.I'll be a great mum and Alfie will be a great dad' Did I hear you chuckle?

I want to look at this from a more sober perspective,far from the raging controversy the incident generated:A couple gets legally married.Two..three..four...five...six.. years into marriage,no issue(s).There is tension in the home.Fervent prayers,fastings and night vigils embarked upon seems unanswered.At the begining of every ovulatory period,hopes are raised only to be dashed with menstral flows.Ageing encroaches very fast.But, here you have two teenegers who barely knew the implications of that one act of unprotected sexual bliss, becoming the proud owners of a baby.Same baby that so many married couples have done everything humanely possible to have.You just never know with the ways of God.
The one lesson I think we should re-learn from this British kiddie's drama is that 'anything is possible'.Keep the faith...

TAGGED BY YNC

2009-02-15T16:36:00.005+01:00

The pretty lady on the knitted green beret has tagged me with the Honest Scrap Award.This is sounding to me like a Nobel Prize,Grammy and an Oscar award rolled into one.

I am highly delighted on this my first ever award on Blogsville.YNC,I can't thank you well enough for this recognition.

I will return to comply with the rules.Thanks once more.

JADE GOODY: BEFORE THE NEXT CHAPTER CLOSES

2009-02-14T19:43:00.004+01:00

I have been following the very tragic circumstances of Jade Goody,the 27-year old reality TV star who has put up a very brave battle against a ravaging cervical cancer since August last year.

Now the Doctors have told her that she has got only just few more months to live.

While the rest of us are celebrating Valentine's day, Jade is just marking time waiting to die.A special Valentine's day treat planned by her boyfriend,Jack Tweed has to be cancelled as Jade is too ill to even eat.

Jade has two young sons- Bobby Jack,five years old and Freddie who is four.She is planning to do one last thing before she dies - get married to her boyfriend.Even in the face of imminent death,she continues to film her reality TV show Jade:The next chapter.

On this Valentine's day,please spare a second to say a prayer for Jade.

RIHANNA VS CHRIS BROWN:THIS THING CALLED LOVE

2009-02-11T19:32:00.002+01:00

Who could have ever guessed that this couple who sat glued to each other,to the admiration and even envy of others present at the Beverly Hills Hilton pre-Grammy party, will in the next minute let tempers down to punching each other and the lady ending up with swellings and bruises in her face with bite marks on her arms and fingers while their relationship and musical careers are in jeopardy.A jail term is even been mentioned. This thing called love?

The unfortunate incident involving 20-year-old Robyn Fenty popularly called Rihanna and 19-year old boyfriend,Chris Brown needs no re-telling.Now everybody is talking.See what one minute of madness could turn into? I blame Chris for all this.I only hope that things still get to be the same again for this young couple.

STILL LOOKING FOR A MIRACLE?...HERE'S ONE!

2009-02-10T18:23:00.007+01:00

Oluchi..back in september last year hanging on

Alive and kicking..Oluchi and her mom recently

A two-year old British girl of Nigerian parentage whose struggle for survival after she fell into a swimming pool where she spent about twenty minutes under water,was ruled as hopeless and impossible has stunned the medical world with her complete recovery and back to normal life form.

Last September,little Oluchi Nwaubani,now 3 accidentally fell into a family friend's swimming pool in Bromley,Kent,London where she was submerged for close to 20 minutes before help could reach her.By then she was as good as dead haven been starved of oxygen for so long.It takes about six minutes for the human brain to die,if it lacks oxygen and the heart only about ten minutes to stop working.

Oluchi's father,Junior Nwaubani who is a prison officer in London takes over the amazing story from here:

'For days afterwards all we were being told was that our daughter had virtually no chance of survival.Doctors were telling us she was never going to pull through because she had been under water for too long.If by miracle she did survive,she would be severely disabled and would have to be looked after all her life.

'Oluchi did not breath for three days after falling into the pool and before hand doctors had discussed with us the likelihood that she won't survive.They told us it might be better to turn off her life supporting machine but my wife and I are both Christians and we just prayed to God that she would pull through..The doctors said there was a faint pulse so we clung onto that.'

According to Oluchi's mum,Mrs Tayo Nwaubani,the immense support they received from friends and family members helped to see them through those tough times.She specifically mentioned members of the Cornerstone Christian Centre,Bromley who prayed for Oluchi and other well wishers who sent in text messages from 'far away as America and Germany.'

FROM EIGHT..TO EIGHT

2009-01-28T04:16:00.004+01:00

Mrs Nkem and her mother at a press briefing in December 1998

The Houston's 'Octuplets' marking their tenth birthday recently

''Just Enjoy it.''

Those were the words of advise Mrs Nkem Chukwu sent out to the mother of the recently delivered octuplets at the Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical centre in Califonia.All eight babies-six boys and two girls are reported to be in good health.

Ten years ago,Nkem Chukwu,a Nigerian-American citizen,then 27-years-old,delivered eight babies-six girls and two boys, to become the mother of what was believed to be America's first live-born octoplets in St Luke's Episcopal Hospital,Houston,Texas.However,the smallest of the babies named Odera died some days later.All the kids were given traditional Igbo names.The seven surviving siblings recently celebrated their 10th birthday.

NO...MIKEL,NO!!

2009-01-26T20:45:00.004+01:00

When gifted Nigerian midfield star player John Mikel Obi was missing from action as Chelsea FC took on Ipswich in the FA Cup match on Saturday,little did most of his fans knew that it was because the guy has 'committed'.

As early as 5:30am on that day,Police charged him for suspected drink-driving.The 21 year-old will appear in court on April 3rd at West London.If he is lucky he will be fined and banned for driving for a year.If not,he will be sentenced to a jail term.

This is not how to be a role model and a worthy ambassador out there.I hope he gets out of this.

MICHELLE OBAMA:WHAT NEXT AFTER THE SUNSHINE?

2009-01-25T16:50:00.004+01:00

26-years-old Jason Wu..designed Michelle's inaugural ball gown

It took two just two outings and the whole world,especially the women and fashion magazines and blogs,have not stopped talking about her stunning and stylish outfits.She epitomized raw black beauty and confidence on the day her husband stole the world's attention.The collarless dress and coat and the one shouldered draped white chiffon gown won over many hearts.She was captivating in them.

Now,as the clouds over the inauguration settles and Michelle getting set to take up her dual role as America's mom-in-chief and community Activist-in-chief,are we still going to see more of those superb dresses?I hope so.

''Mrs Obama's look is not an avant-garde look.She is a professional woman.Natural and polished.''-Ingrid Grimes-Myles,Michelle Obama's make up artist.

What I cherish most about Michelle is her humility.This has seen her throwing up relatively unsung duo of youthful fashion designers into prominence.47 year-old Cuban American Isabel Toledo and 26 year old Taiwan born Jason Wu who designed the dresses Michelle wore to the inauguration and the ball respectively are now celebrities of sort and much sought after designers.

PROF. PAT UTOMI:OUR OWN BARACK OBAMA!!

2009-01-25T10:51:00.005+01:00

The very moment I first sighted my idol, Prof. Patrick Okedikachi Utomi at the venue of the 2009 Ahiajoku Lecture in Owerri,I was overwhelmed with a mixed feeling of admiration and disappointment.Admiration of the noble achievements of this man and disapointment on how Nigeria has not benefitted from the enormous potentials and patriotic commitements of this man.

Right from when Prof Utomi indicated his interest in participating in the cenre-stage of Nigerian politics,I told all who cared to listen that if given the opportunity this is one man who has the sincere zeal and intellectual endowment to change the destiny of this country for good.

Even before Obama,Utomi was.But,like the biblical prophet, he is not honoured here.The corrupt political system here prefers to spring up crooks instead of patriots.The country and her citizens remain worse off for it.

It is our collective responsibility to confront and challenge this political rot that has bedevilled Nigeria and bring about the so much desired change. For this to happen,we must give the 'Obamas' in our midst a chance.

Prof. Pat Utomi..gird your loins,once again.Dust up My manifesto and Why we must restore Nigeria.

We must not fail!

ACHEBE SPEAKS FOR THE SISTERS!!

2009-01-25T09:13:00.004+01:00

"Several studies have clearly indicated that when women are well educated, the entire society benefits positively in overall standard of living. The dehumanisation of our women through acts such as wife-beating, funeral rites that take away the dignity of our mothers, wives, sisters and daughters must be abolished,"

-Professor Chinua Achebe,speaking at the first World Confrence on Igbo civilization in a lecture titled ''A harvest of Ideas from Achebe to Ndi Igbo'',held in Owerri, yesterday.

WHEN BEAUTY DIED...

2009-01-24T10:17:00.004+01:00

Just early this morning the sad news filtered out that 20 years old Brazilian model, Mariana Bridi de costa who had her dreams of becoming a world top model puntuated by a strange illness, has lost her agonising battle to live.She was cut short by a deadly but little known disease called septicemia which led to her hands and legs being amputated while parts of her stomach and kidneys were extracted.She has been in coma for over 10 days,only breathing through a respirator.

''She told me she was praying to stay alive,that she still had a lot to do on this earth,and that she wanted to go on with her plans.''-Thiago Simoes,Miriana's fiance

Last year,Miriana placed 6th in the Miss Bikini International competition in China.She took first place in the ''Best in swimsuit'' category.She had earlier emerged fourth in the contest to become Brazil's representative to the 2008 Miss World Pageant.She had already signed a modelling contract with Dilson Stein,who is reported to have brought some Brazilian models to international notice.

''All the agencies were very interested in knowing her.I know for a fact that they would have loved her because Mariana is beautiful.''-Dilson Stein,International Model scout.

Death,be not proud!

WIERD WIERD NIGERIA!!!

2009-01-23T18:58:00.006+01:00

The Robbery or 'Goatery' suspect

Police parade goat as robbery suspect

*For attempting to ‘steal’ a Mazda car
It was a shocking sight yesterday as men of the Kwara State Police Command paraded a goat as an armed robbery suspect.

The goat "robbery suspect"The goat "suspect" is being detained over an alleged attempt to snatch a Mazda car. The mysterious goat, according to the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Tunde Mohammed, while briefing bewildered journalists at the Force headquarters, is an armed robber who attempted to snatch the said car, Wednesday night, and later transformed into the goat in a bid to escape arrest.
He explained that men of a vigilance group in Anifowose Ipata/Oloje areas of the state capital had chased two armed robbery suspects who wanted to demobilise the Mazda car with the intention of stealing it, and
"while one of them escaped, the other was about to be apprehended by the team when he turned his back on the wall and turned to this goat. They quickly grabbed the goat and here it is.’’ Mohammed said.
The police spokesman said the goat "armed robbery suspect" will not be left off the hook until investigations into the case are concluded.
He also said that no fewer than five stolen vehicles have been recovered by the state Police Command while some suspects were also arrested. Among those arrested, he said was one Idowu Oni of Araromi area of Akure who escaped from Akure Prison.
He added that the escaped convict was arrested in Ilorin after stealing a Mazda 323 car belonging to Mrs. Henrietta Ayijesu.
He also said another armed robbery and rape suspect was in their custody, assuring that the suspects will soon appear in court.

Story culled from Vanguard

OWERRI:GLIMPSE FROM 2009 AHIAJOKU LECTURES

2009-01-23T17:25:00.005+01:00

Prof. Pat Utomi answering questions from Journalists at the venue

Waitin for Prof. Achebe to alight from his special vehicle

From 9:30 am this morning,I was at The Cenotaph,Concorde Boulevard,Owerri where world reknowned scholar and literary Icon Professor Chinua Achebe was to deliver the key lecture at the 2009 edition of the annual Ahiajoku Lectures.Up till 1:00pm,the event had not commenced.It was only about that time that the Special vehicle conveying Achebe entered the venue.From there,the overzealous security officers took over in an attempt to show strenght and 'eye-service'.While we were waiting to take snapshots of Achebe as he alighted from his vehicle,Some Police officers threatened to confisticate our cameras if we took shots.Haba!! I smelt trouble.Having other schedules to catch up with,I quietly left,dissapointedly.

TO MALIA AND SASHA OBAMA WITH LOVE

2009-01-22T17:44:00.005+01:00

With Obama's sister Maya(l) and Michelle's mum,Marian Robinson(r)

Beanie Baby dolls made after Malia and Sasha

At the inauguration

''These are the things I want for you-to grow up in a world with no limits on your dreams and no achievements beyond your reach,and to grow into compassionate committed women who will help build the world.And I want every child to have the same chances to learn and dream and grow and thrive that you girls have.That's why I've taken our family on this great adventure.''

- Extract from Obama's Letter to his daughters.

''Just go.Four years goes by so fast,so absorb it all,enjoy it all.

Surround yourself with loyal friends.They'll protect and calm you and join in on some of the fun and appreciate the history.If you ever need a hug,go find Ramsey,if you want to talk football,look for Buddy.And,if you just need a smile,look for 'Smiley'.

...cherish your animal because sometimes you'll need the quiet comfort that only animals can provide.

Many will think they know your father,but they have no idea of how he felt on your first day at school or how much you love being his daughters.

So here is our most important piece of advice-remember who your dad really is!''

-Extract from a letter to Obama daughters by Babara and Jeanna Bush

ACHEBE:THE BIG MASQUERADE COMES TO TOWN

2009-01-21T19:30:00.005+01:00

The Literary Giant...

The Cenotaph,Cocorde Boulevard,Venue of the lecture.

Banner....

Billboards..heralding the landing of the Eagle on the Iroko

Come January 23rd 2008,the world will shift its focus from America and Obamania to The platform of The Cenotaph,Concorde Boulevard,Owerri,Eastern Nigeria where the literary sage and world acclaimed writer,Author and speaker,Professor Chinua Achebe will deliver the Key lecture at the 2009 Ahiajoku Lecture in a climax of events at the Festival of Igbo civilization.The theme of this year's lecture is :Igbo Intellectualism And Development.

Owerri is already agog for this historic event. Meanwhile,Achebe is already talking in what looks like a tip of what to expect on Friday:

''I have not come to make a presentation. I have come to say thank you. That is fairly the reason for my being here. I was taken aback, astonished at the kindly disposition of my people to me. It is not because of any great achievement. It is simply that you want to say, this is our brother. And that is what I want to say also to you. You are my brothers and sisters. I have been away too long, for reasons you know and might not. But it has been so important for me to make this visit. I have changed my coming, well, 200 times, and yesterday, it was touch and go. I am happy to see you. I want to tell you to continue doing the good work" because "the business of journalism is good work that is how I view it. Do good work and you won't go wrong".

"I must express very profound disappointment with what is happening on the African continent concerning elections and concerning succession. Right here in Africa, we still have not learnt, that unless you have a process that makes succession easy and even friendly so that opponents can smile at each other, unless we get there, we still have a very long way to go. Politics is not warfare.
"We have to be convinced; we have to be really determined to make Nigeria work",

You don't retire from writing, you continue writing until you bow down. If you are really a writer and you are alive, don't look forward to a pension, there are some young people who think the older ones should retire, that is not the way it is done. Young, old, medium, we all have work, don't give up writing, and don't give up the idea because that is your calling. I do have a new book coming out and when it comes out, you will see it".

I am enthsiastically looking forward to be a witness of this historic occassion.I took the above pictures with my new Sony DSC-S750 Cyber-shot .

IF THIS IS A DREAM....PLEASE, LET ME SLEEP ON

2009-01-20T19:01:00.001+01:00

OBAMA:OUR MOMENT OF HISTORIC GLORY

2009-01-20T17:06:00.005+01:00

Like so many,I am waiting for that great historic moment when Barack Obama will finally take the oath of office as the 44th President of the United States of America.

We just keep praying that Obama succeeds.

THOSE GERMAN KID'S LOVE FOR AFRICA AND THE JEALOUS WIFE'S PENIS

2009-01-05T21:26:00.008+01:00

Innocence.fantasty.Ignorance.These three words can best describe the attempt by two German kids,from the city of Hanover- Mika(6 years old) and his sweetheart, Anna-Bell (5 years old) to elope to Africa and get wedded under the beauty of the African sun after watching a nature TV documentary on Africa.
The 'Couple' who had sneaked out of their parents homes on New Year's eve taking along with them Mika's Seven -Year- old sister,Anna-Lena, to be a witness to the wedding,packed bags with summer clothes,toys with provision and walked almost a kilometre to board a tram to Hanover train station before a suspicious Station guard alerted the police.
Anna-Bell told a German Television station in an interview that:'We wanted to get married and so we just thought;'Let's go there.' ''According to Mika ''We wanted to take the train to the Airport,then we wanted to get on a plane and when we arrived we wanted to unpack the summer things and then we wanted to go for a bit of a stroll in the sun.''
The kids who didn't let their parents know about their plans thought they would not be gone for long.
The trio hadn't travelling passports or money.They were pictured at the Hanover Police station beaming smiles that kind of say: 'we don't give a damn about what you think of us.We just love ourselves...Africa,we shall still come visiting...'
Kids!! Where on earth did they know they were they going to in Africa?Just imagine if they had landed in DR Congo, Zimbabwe Or elsewhere in Africa;face-to-face with the typical African kids to whom poverty, hunger,war and death have become usual companions-would they have still admired Africa the way they did that inspired their attempted eloping?

A 44-year-old Australian woman,Rajini Narayan who allegedly doused her husband's genitals with Methylated spirit and set him alight while the poor man was sleeping in December last year,after she suspected that he was having an affair, told a court that :
''I am a jealous wife,his penis should belong to me,I just wanted to burn his penis so it didn't belong to any one else.Its just his penis I wanted to burn...''
Rajini Narayan whose 47-year-old husband,Satish, died on December 27 after suffering burns to 85% of his body, appeared in Adelaide Magistrate court yesterday where she is facing an upgraded charge of murder. This was one anger taken too far.The magistrate has ordered a psychiatric assesment of the woman.A neighbour who visited Rajini in the Adelaide Womens Prison talked about a now sober Rajini who would have ''wanted her husband to live more than anything''.She was reported to have said:''..I didn't mean this to happen.''

AFRICA 2009:WEEP NOT CHILD

2009-01-03T16:35:00.003+01:00

2008 was a year of so many wasted opportunities for Africa. Poor leadership,poverty,corruption and political conflicts/wars largely undermined the continent in the past year.It is hoped that in this new year African leaders will rise to the occassion and give the continent a more purposeful direction.Africans have suffered enough.

Arise Africa!

P.S:Special thanks to ace Cartoonist Tayo Fatunla for giving me permission to use the above picture from his website.You can check him up here.

AKWAABA... JOHN ATTA MILLS!!!

2009-01-03T15:34:00.007+01:00

Good news emerging from Ghana is that Prof. Atta Mills of the opposition National Democratic Congress won 50.23% in a very tight run-off to emerge the next president of Ghana.This development from Ghana is surely a nice way for Africa to set year 2009 rolling.It is hoped that other countries will follow the exemplary way the Ghanaians went about this elections.And for Attah Mills,this is an opportunity to better the commendable achievements of incumbent President John Kuffor.

With Attah's political credentials of being Ghana's Vice-president between 1997 and January 2001 and twice after then lost to President John Kuffor in 2001 and 2004,the man look poised to deliver.

Akwaaba ''The Prof''!

THANKS!!! THANKS!!! THANKS!!!

2009-01-01T18:26:00.000+01:00

Thank God we made it into the New Year.
Thank God My Blog is a year and a day old today.Hmmm,see how time flies!
Lots of thanks to all living in this space of ours called Bloggosphere.Sheer adventurism brought me into blogging.I have now found in it an unquencheable passion.These seems to be the very best moments.With an array of interesting Bloggers,varying in styles,contents and all that,I can't wish to be elsewhere.
I must confess that I am still a toddler here.Still learning to crawl the ropes.One good thing here is that you just keep learning and growing everyday.Even when you fall (oops!),you dust up and move on.Times there are,when like a lost kid in need of direction,you stand looking out for the next outstretched helping hands.Or like the proverbial Lizard that fell from the heights,you give yourself the part when nobody does.
As a Blogger,you must cross paths with or depend on other bloggers.You can't be in this space all alone.There have been some real nice Bloggers who have given me all the support and encouragement to get to this point.I am greatly motivated by the encouragement I always get from this very special Angel in the form of Standtall-The Activist.She is such a great inspiration not just to me but to a whole lot of us here.For this and so much more I say: THANKS!!!
Year 2009 is going to be a much exciting experience.

GHANA ,GUINEA AND MY FEARS

2008-12-28T08:16:00.009+01:00

Today,Ghanians return to the pollS to vote in the run-off of the December 7 Presidential elections,which pitches Nana Akufo-Addo of the ruling National Patriotic Party (NPP) against John Atta Mills of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).Either men will succeed President John Kuffor.Going by the way election observers have hailed the earlier attempt,we are looking forward to a smooth election devoid of the fraud a.k.a wuru-wuru, mago-mago that has become the trade-mark of Nigerian elections.I wish Ghanians well and hoping that Nigeria and her electoral commision will learn some valuable lessons from this experience.

The junta in Guinea is talking tough and consolidating its hold on government.Capt. Moussa Camara has even pledged holding elections in two years time.Guineans are happy.Some African leaders are already embracing him.ECOWAS,AU and some other countries are condeming the coup.The more they talk,Camara bluffs.

Lets not be deceived.Guineans are happy with the junta because they were frustrated with Lansana Conte's government which for 24 years suffocated them down with poverty and oppression.They yearned for fresh air.In stepped Camara.Lansana came into power in 1984 via a military coup.

Camara is only threading a farmiliar path.Sieze power,the whole world will condemn you.You promise to conduct elections in the soonest possible time.The world relaxes its pressure.Two years time you conduct a 'democratic' election with you as the main or only candidate.You win a landslide.We know this song too well.

My fear now is that any group of ambitious military officers might just borrowing a leaf from the Guinean coupist and with ease truncate existing democratic structures.The already misruled,disenchanted,frustrated and hopeless citizenry will definately support such an intrusion.

The only thing I like in the Guinean is that Camara tends to remind me of the late Burkinabe's Thomas Sankara.I sure know that Camara has heard so much about him.I hope he gets to act like Sankara whose humility,dynamism and purposefulness still remain a benchmark in African leadership.

KWANZAA AFRICA !!

2008-12-26T21:44:00.010+01:00

Some years back when I wanted to choose a name for my creative outfit I didn't waste time in coming up with one-Kente and Kwanzaa Productions.I was particularly thrilled by the sound of the later:Kwanzaa.It gave me pride.

I wanted an identity that very well and proudly connects and expresses Pan-African, African American and other diasporic values.

Kwanzaa,derived from the Swahili language,is a cultural holiday in the United states,created in 1966 by Dr Mualana Karenga in an effort to ''rescue and reconstruct'' the affirmation of the eccentric values that originaly defined Africa.Kwanzaa's celebration is organised around 7 principle: Unity (Umoja);self determination (kujichangulia);collective work and responsibility (ujima);cooperative economy (ujamaa);purpose(Nia);creativity(kumba) and faith(imani).

If Africa can get to apply a little bit of the Kwanzaa principles,this will bring about a stronger communal bond amongst her people,common identity and purposefulness,for a continent that has been badly battered by leadership and followership crisis.(I think the closest we got to this was when the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere did the Ujamaa thing in Tanzania.Thomas Sankara came quite close with his brand of socialism.)

As we stand on the treshold of 2008/9,there is no denying the fact that Africa needs to re-invent itself.Kwanzaa is it.Now is the time!

JAMES IROHA UCHECHUKWU:WINNING WITH FIRE,FLESH AND BLOOD

2008-12-17T00:34:00.007+01:00

Nigerian multi-talented Photographer and founding member of the Nigerian photographers' collective, Depth of Field (DoF),James Iroha Uchechukwu,recently added a very big feather to his fast rising career when he took to the podium in the newly built Prince Claus fund office in Herengracht 603 Amsterdam,Netherlands to receive his prize after he was named as one of the winners of the 2008 Prince Claus Awards in the category of ''photography and film'',with his entry Fire,Flesh and Blood.The theme of the 2008 Award is Culture and the Human body.

Prince Claus fund describes Uchechukwu as ''the leading light of a new generation of Nigerian Photographer'' who has been able to ''expand the possibilities of photography,pushing local art in new directions'' through ''fusing the documentation of everyday reality with the creative language of imagery..His quality images depicts bodies in context,exploring the physicality of existence in the mix of cultures and influences that is 21st century Lagos,a megacity with urgent social issues''.

Uchechukwu's winning entry,Fire,Flesh and Blood,a group of photo images depicting open-air abattoirs in Lagos, had earlier won the Elan Prize from Agence Francaise de Development (AFD) at the Rencontres africaines de la Photographie of Bamako in 2005.The Fire,Flesh and Blood photo series is among other collections of his on exhibition at the new office of the the Prince Claus fund that will run till 1st March 2009 in Amsterdam.

James Iroha Uchechukwu has been invited to an artist in residence programme by the Thami Mnyele Foundation in Netherlands,where he will be working on a new project at the foundation's studio.He had erlier worked at the Thami Nyale Foundation from 27 November till 7 December 2008.The Themi Mnyele Foundation seeks to promote the exchange of arts and culture between Africa and the Netherlands.

RICHARD'S QUEST FOR SOLUTIONS TO THE NIGER DELTA CRISIS

2008-12-14T09:53:00.008+01:00

Richard Oburu(left)

Richy(left) with some participants at the ESCR meeting recently.

Nigerian Rights activist, Richard Oburu was in Nairobi,Kenya for the International Strategy Meeting on Economic,Social and Cultural Rights-ESCR-Net 2nd General Assembly's annual conference titled:Challenging Poverty and inequality through human Rights,where he and more than 200 participants from over 50 countries brainstormed on ''new strategies and exchanged information with concrete plans for implementing collective action towards the full implementation of economic,social and cultural rights..''

Richy,from the Nigeria's oil-rich,but troubled region of Niger Delta, said the Kenyan meeting was a very wonderful opportunity to share ideas on and about economic,social and cultural rights as they affected participants and their people.He particularly made a strong presentation for the people of the Niger Delta region.

Richy has since left Nairobi for Egypt,where he will be attending another conference.It is hoped that Richards efforts will impact greately on the overall attempt to bringing a lasting solution to the problems in the Niger Delta.

MUGABE: IT IS TIME TO GO!!

2008-12-10T17:04:00.007+01:00

These pictures speaks.Why is the rest of the world watching hopelessly as Robert Mugabe ruin Zimbabwe? The time to get the beast out of Zimbabwe is now!!!

FROM JOS TO JOS:THIS HOUSE HAS FALLEN

2008-12-09T17:39:00.004+01:00

As sanity creeps back into Jos,Nigeria, after what is fast turning into a routine orgy of brothers killing each other in the name of politics,religion and ethnicity,I am very disturbed that the Nigerian government is not in any way interested in averting further mayhems both in Jos and elsewhere in Nigeria.What is happening right now is only a pause in this genocidal rave that would be errupting the next moment in God knows where. It is a sign of failure on the part of the system that has abandoned its own citizens to their fate.Jos,that once used to be the melting point of Nigeria's unity has now turned into a time-bomb that explodes at will.Jos is only a microcosm.

It is so sad that in Nigeria a slight provocation with either political,religious or ethnic undertone is cabable of claiming several innocent lives,displace hundreds of thousands of people and wanton destruction of properties worth several millions of Naira.

Nigeria is indeed a good example of a failed state.The British writer Karl Maier aptly captured this bizzare failure in the title of his book This House Has Fallen taken from a quote attributed to Nigeria's foremost writer,China Achebe:

This is an example of a country that has fallen

down;it has collapsed.This house has fallen.

The unfortunate incident in Jos this past week is only a reminder of how fragile the things that holds us together,the things we so hold dearly in Nigeria, are.

Love... for mankind has since taken flight here.

TONI KAN'S CREAKING BED

2008-12-08T18:47:00.006+01:00

The only place in the whole world where I would want to be,this time tomorrow,9th December 2008, is at the Salamander Cafe,Wuse II,Abuja, where leading Nigerian writer Toni Kan will be reading from his latest collection of short stories Nights of the creaking Bed.

The book,published by Cassava Republic have been enjoying rave reviews from literary writers both in and outside Nigeria.Molara Woods in her review described the collection as ''a cohersive,stylish collection,with athmospheric scenes and noir elements.Toni Kan's stories look behind shuttered windows to express the unspeakable in the everyday.''

I look forward to Toni Kan clinching all the available literary prizes both locally and internationally, come 2009.

THANKSGIVING...

2008-11-27T23:17:00.006+01:00

Folks in theUS are marking Thanksgiving Holiday.They always have enough reasons for this.Against the backdrop of a global economic crisis,eclipsed by a historic presidential election,the Americans should be happy to grace their dining Tables with plenty of Turkeys.

In India,some mad,I mean very crazy, Terrorists are ripping Mumbai apart...definately this babaric act doesn't fit in at all.

At home here in Nigeria things are not just looking up for good.Hope is getting dimmer by the tickling of every second.This still won't stop us from being thankful to God.Being thankful is about keeping hope alive,with the firm belief that Nigeria go better.

Someday,we will have course to mark a Thanksgiving holiday here.

MY MAN FRIDAY...

2008-11-25T21:39:00.004+01:00

Been mourning the untimely death of a very dear cousin,Friday Azogs.I was jolted out of my Hospital bed sometimes last week by the shocking news of Friday's demise.He was on admission at Othibor Okhai Teaching Hospital,Irrua,Edo State,for some chest related ailments.We were all praying and hoping that Friday would get well soonest and get back to being his active self once again.Alas,the cold hands of death snatched him...too soon

He will be dearly missed..

Adieu Fryo!

RIHANNA:GOOD GIRL GONE SMART

2008-11-08T23:57:00.008+01:00

Check out the way Rihanna is holding tight to her chest during the video recording of her current single 'Rehab'.I think the babe is being very cautious to avoid any attempt by Justin Timberlake to re-enact those 'wardrobe malfunctioning' stunts he pulled on Janet Jackson some years back.

Stay smart Girl!

MAMA:'..CHANGE HAS COME'

2008-11-05T07:05:00.004+01:00

Obama's people in Kenya didn't have to wait for my much talked about Phone call which I blogged about here on August 30th before they went agog celebrating victory.Good one.

OBAMA:A NEW DAWN

2008-11-05T06:02:00.006+01:00

My Phone has not stopped receiving text messages and calls since I unofficially assumed the role of a US Presidential Election monitor and announcing the news of Obama's victory to friends.Emenike and I are yet to catch any nap just to make sure we didn't miss out as history unravelled.

My ex-class mate,John Anaweokhai texted:Breaking news:America now wears a new look! Barack Obama elected d 44th president of America.

My Boss,Victor Kayode sent in this funny one:

.....And the

winner is...

..VICTOR

KAYODE....Oh sorry,the winner is BARACK OBAMA.Welcome the 44TH American president.

Jude Agho,Professor of African Literature,Edo state University,Ekpoma sent in this one: This is a very monumental victory!Our country(Nigeria) should learn from this.

Amina Gabriel sent in a text about holding a prayer session in our homes,offices and business places 7am to mark the Obama victory.

Another friend,Chinenye called in from Lagos giving a vivid description of the frenzied celebration in her neighbourhood over the Obama victory.

BEFORE OUR VERY EYES,HISTORY UNFOLDS

2008-11-05T01:22:00.004+01:00

My colleague,Emenike Ejekwu and I are up monitoring the US Presidential election results live on the net.From the latest Electoral College votes,Obama is leading McCain by 195 to 90.From projections,there are every indications that Obama is coasting to victory.Amina Gabriel,another of my colleague based in Lagos earlier told me that people have embarked on all night 'fasting and prayer sessions' for Obama to win this election.

Nigerians eagerly look forward to this new dawn...with hopes that one day a similar situation will happen in their country when an 'Obama' will be voted into power.This just sums up the enthusiasm being expressed far from the American centre stage.

US ELECTION:THIS IS THE DAY

2008-11-04T03:38:00.002+01:00

Today,history beckons on America and Americans as they cast their votes in a historic Presidential election that pitches a charismatic and enigmatic Sen. Barack Obama against Sen. John McCain.Obama is the first African-American to have come this far in the US White House race.The odds are favouring him.The Americans has today to decide.
America and the world needs Obama,for a change.
Africa's democracy needs this inspirational effect and challenge.
Americans will decide.