Summit to reenact Ibadan literary glory underway

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Bello

An Ibadan-based educational opportunity and literacy development organisation, BIBLOPHILLIANigeria, is perfecting arrangements for the maiden edition of its Young Writers’ Summit and Literary Festival. Billed for April 21, 2017 at Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, the summit is a collaboration ofOyo State government, Association of Nigeria Authors, University of Ibadan and Medianett Limited. The target is to deliver a global standard literary festival for young writers.

Its objectives, according to CEO, BIBLOPHILLIANigeria, Kayode Adejumo-Bello include, recreating the Ibadan literary passion, celebrating the ancient city’s literary heritage, discovering new literary talents, producing next generation of literary stars, and creating a supportive, non-competitive environment, where teenage writers can work together as artists.

Essentially, the summit will not only address the dearth of great writers of Ibadan literary ancestry and origin, it is expected to stimulate academic and cultural revival of a city. The idea is to, on one hand, redeem and, on the other, recreate and reinvent the city as Africa’s capital of creative writing and literary excellence.

Two levels of participation are available: junior category, comprising students of English/Literature in English currently in JSS 2 in any junior secondary school in the Ibadan metropolis or students within the age bracket of 10-13 years.

Also, there is senior category, targeting students of English/Literature in English currently in SSS 2 in any senior secondary school in the Ibadan metropolis for students aged between 15 and 17 years. In all, adequate provisions are being made for a total of 2,500 student participants. Participation is free.

And a carefully selected faculty of authors, teachers and residential staff has been assembled to facilitate the summit. The team will bring professional experience to the development of new literary talents as a retreat space will be created where participants can commune with each other, immerse themselves in creative activity, and fuel their imaginations through an innovative programming.

Technically, the summit will consist of workshops evolving through the dynamic principles of play, invention, response, revision, performance, and publication. Participants will learn strategies to invent, develop, and revise materials, using a writer’s most essential tools—language, imagination, craft, sight, and insight. They will conference with instructors and peer writers, examine contemporary artists’ work, and become more discerning readers.

Specifically, five studio workshops will be offered:
Fiction: From the real to the surreal: participants will learn how evocative fiction works: the power of provocative story hooks, resonant settings, and plot lines that weave together the lives of complex characters. This workshop also focuses on developing a repertoire of voices, styles, and narrative techniques to intrigue readers and leave them wanting more.

Creative nonfiction: during this workshop, participants will develop skills as creative nonfiction writers, deploying the devices of great fiction—riveting description, charged dialogue, strong narrative structure—for telling true stories. They take these literary skills into field assignments to practice the real moves of the nonfiction writer, through humor, memoir, editorial, review, and many others to bring truth to the page with the force of fiction.

Poetry: poets make the ordinary extraordinary. They experiment with craft and form. They embody whole worlds of experience in just one line or image, distill where they have been and what they know, and give shape to personal truth in luminous detail. This workshop will help young poets discover the ways to tempt the muse to the page and forge what follows into a full blaze.

Songwriting: participants will be exposed to writing songs, especially concentrating on lyrics to create an unparalleled space where sound and words explode.

Screen and playwriting: F. Scott Fitzgerald said, “Writers aren’t exactly people… they’re a whole bunch of people trying to be one person.”

Participants interested in playwriting will learn the skills needed to unleash their cast of characters onto screen or stage. Dramatic writing is the perfect genre for those whose inspiration exceeds the limits of the page.

AT the end of the workshops, participants will be given instant literary assignments. The best three participants in each category will be selected for further training and tests. The best participant in each category will win N100,000 in cash prize. The best overall participant wins N250, 000 in cash prize and free publishing of his/her literary work.

Ibadan Young Writers’ Summit and Literary Festival 2017 is motivated by the understanding that Ibadan, in decades past, was renowned as Nigeria’s capital of creative writing and literacy.

According to Adejuwon-Bello, “It is the crucible that produced Africa’s most celebrated writers and literacy icons. Ibadan as both a city and a cultural cum intellectual melting pot produced the inimitable Chinua Achebe, Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, Femi Oshofisan, Odia Ofeimum, as well as the legendary D. O. Fagunwa, Amos Tutuola, Akinwunmi Ishola and a thousand others too numerous to mention.

“Literary-wise, it is no hyperbole to say that Ibadan is endowed with an enviable literary ancestry. We were unequalled. Unmatched… But when was the last crop of global literary icons produced from the great Ibadan creative pot of literacy, culture and thoughts?

“There is a gap. A gaping hole between what was and what is and what could be. The legacy is progressively becoming a liability. When will the next Wole Soyinka, or the next Chinua Achebe or Niyi Osundare, Adebayo Faleti be produced?” he asked rhetorically.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2m6Wnca

Eight years after… Parents of dead female players cry out

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Members of the Jos North Women Football Team, Rock City Queens, who were involved in the fatal accident… eight years ago.<br />

December 21, 2016 marked eight years of the tragic accident at Dorowa Dabuje in Barkin Ladi Council of Plateau State, which led to the death of the Jos North Council women footballers, who were participating in the Ngo Talatu Jang Female Football Tournament that year in Shendam.

And for parents of the dead female footballers, it has been eight years of pains and tears.The Jos North Council football team, popularly called “Rock City Queens,” had left Jos on December 21, 2008 to Shendam, venue of the Plateau State First Lady’s Female Football Competition among the 17 councils of the state.

During their homeward journey that evening, tragedy struck as the J5 bus conveying the players had a head-on collision with a Golf car and burst into flames.

Out of the six occupants in the Golf car, only one survived, and of the passengers in the J5 bus conveying the players, 12 were roasted to ashes, including 12–year-old Naomi John, their coach Ganiyu and his assistant Khalid Yero. Others included Augustina Kenneth, Catherine Okpoko, Happiness Primus, Mary Shom, Comfort Agwu, Vicky Joseph, Angela Utuka, Mercy Uwandu and Jummai Ishaku.
   
The then governor of the state, Pastor Jonah David Jang, his wife, Ngo Talatu (on whose behalf the tournament was organised) and the authority of Jos North Local Government, which the girls represented, all made promises during the mass burial of the children.
   
But after the accident, the parents of the deceased tried in vain to see Jang or his spouse Talatu. The parents of the children have been molested, mocked at and insulted even by some government officials over the years.

Some of the parents recalled with dismay a particular incident when a government official told them that they were behaving as if they were the first parents to lose their children.
 
They condemned the attitude of the government, adding that a nation cannot be built without adequate care and concern for the youths, especially those that have volunteered to serve their fatherland.

The attitude of the government is further described as barbaric, inhuman and uncultured.They recall that following the demise of the footballers in that fatal crash, the council and state assured them they would fill the void created by the loss of their children. But eight years after, they are still waiting for words from the authorities.

Mr. and Mrs. Uwandu are the parents of one of the deceased players, Mercy of Alheri in Jos North.With tears rolling down the her cheeks, Mrs. Uwandu recalled how useful and dedicated Mercy was to the family, describing her as “a woman with a man’s heart.”

She said, “I can’t believe Mercy is gone. She was the breadwinner of this family from the little money she made during tournaments and competitions. She was also promising as she was determined to do much in life.
 
“That determination earned her admission into the University of Jos. Ever since her demise, I have not been myself.“This country is not worth sacrificing for. Imagine, children died in the course of serving this state and government has not deemed it fit to commiserate with us. It is unfortunate.”

Indeed, Mrs. Uwandu looked traumatized. Late Mercy while playing football enrolled at the University of Jos and until her demise was a 400 level student in the Business Management Department.
  
It was a similar story at the house of Mr. John Oyetego of Anguwan Soya, Jos. He is a consultant with the Plateau State Ministry of Sports, whose daughter, Naomi, the youngest player of the Rock City Queens, also died in the accident. John looked distraught and wanted to be left alone.

The enlarged photograph of late 12- year-old Naomi still hanging on the wall in the sitting room shows the lass smiling down on people. Like Mercy, John described late Naomi as a very hardworking and dedicated child.
   
“She was the last born of my children, but she seemed to be more concerned about us than the others. Naomi always brought home whatever stipends she made during tournaments. I received the death of Naomi with rude shock and the shock is still in me.
    
“This is more so that those who contracted her for the assignment that took her life have not expressed sympathy. It is this kind of negligence by government that make athletes even at the national level to demand for their entitlements upfront before donning Nigerian colours at international and global competitions,” John said.
  
Another parent of one of the deceased players, Kenneth Eze, describes the year 2008 as a year he cannot easily forget. According to him, it was a year of double tragedy. Eze, a mechanic at Farin Gada, a suburb of Jos, said that year, he lost his beloved wife to a strange illness. The corpse was taken to the South Eastern part of the country for burial. Shortly after the funeral rites, family members prevailed on him not to make a hasty return to Jos with his children until the family offered last prayers for the peaceful repose of the soul of his wife, a counsel Eze had no alternative than to accept.
  
Soon afterwards, one of his children, Augustina, a footballer, informed him about a certain telephone call she received from a sports official in Jos North Local Government Council, followed by another from her then coach, Zakari Ahmed. In her explanation to her father, she said that a female football tournament among the 17 local government areas of Plateau State in honour of the then First Lady of the state, Ngo Talatu Jang, was being organised and she was picked to be among the Jos North Local Government contingent. That news suddenly cut short Mr. Eze’s plan of a prolonged stay in the village and a hurried return with Augustina to Jos.

On December 21, 2008 Augustina bid her family goodbye as she was set to join her colleagues for the onward journey to Shendam, venue of the tournament. “I asked her if they were returning that same day. She said that depended on the arrangement put in place by government,” said Eze.
   
“All efforts to reach her on her cell phone that day in the evening proved abortive,” he said, adding that on the following day, while he was at his late wife’s shop, one of his daughters called to inform him of an accident involving the bus conveying the female football team.

    
“Immediately I heard news, I slumped. When I regained consciousness, I learnt that not all the occupants in the vehicle died and that my daughter could be one of the survivors. Hours later, my daughter called again to inform me that many of the footballers in the vehicle had died, including Augustina. I slumped again and was rushed to hospital,” he said.
   
Just like others, Eze could not believe his daughter was dead. He said sometimes he feels as if he is responsible for his daughter’s death because he hurriedly left the East while still mourning his mother just to allow Augustina to honour a request by government. Yet the same government has not deemed it fit to commiserate with the family.
  
According to Eze, “With this kind of treatment from government to its citizens, how can citizens develop the zeal to serve their fatherland?”In the words of Miriam Ibrahim, one of the survivors of the accident, “Plateau State has no regard for athletes. I remain to ever regret playing for the local government.”

  

   

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A tribute to my wife Caroline Ikazoboh

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It is hard to accept the death of a loved one, especially when you didn’t have the chance to say goodbye, especially when the deceased was taken so suddenly and so shockingly at the prime of life and most especially when it seems like an irreplaceable part of one’s life is gone.

The grief and pain can be unbearable; you cry a river and your sorrow knows no end.You never really know what it’s like until you are there yourself, but you look to God because he is the only one who can comfort you.

Death and, indeed, a death so sudden and painful like the death of my wife on February 16 (last week Thursday) makes me realise the brevity of life. It brought clearly to the fore the thin line between life and death. We often take life for granted, too much so.

Her death has made me sit down and reflect. It has made me put things in perspective. I am still in a state of shock.Carol and I lived as husband and wife for 40 years, two months and five days. All through this period she was my pillar of support. Our relationship started from our teenage years when both of us were among the three primary school students who won the national UAC scholarship for secondary education.

Carol was my friend, my colleague, my sister, my companion, my partner and my wife.She gave up her career, even though she was more intelligent than I, to support our children and create a happy home for me to make a success of my career. I gave so much time to my profession and less time to her in the last 40 years and she accepted it with equanimity. I always figured that we still have plenty of time ahead of us to catch up after the children and grandchildren are on their own. I wish I could go back in time.

Carol was deeply religious. Though she was an Anglican when we got married, she converted to a Catholic on her own volition and studied the catechism of the church so deeply and was a strong member of the Opus Dei. She gave her life to Christ completely.

She was involved in so many charities anonymously and her last activity on the day she passed on was to go and transfer funds to some of the charities she was sponsoring.Carol, I miss the wonderful plans we made. The memories we shared will never fade.

Having you in my life, was the best dream come true. Since you have left this world, words cannot describe the emptiness inside me. I get so lost without you but I am sure you are with the Lord. You are with angels singing and praising the Almighty whom you served while on earth with all your heart. You can no longer be seen by human eye, but your soul and love that you gave so many will never die.

Since you are with the angels, please we (our children, grandchildren and I) need you as our guide and intercessor in heaven.I wish I could tell myself that you will be back someday and will be back to be with me again. I guess this is the way life goes. God’s Will must be accepted.

I miss a million things, every detail of who you are. I miss your mind, body and soul.I still say I am one lucky man to have been given the gift of you.

There are many things I think I should have done for you. Please forgive me for procrastinating.You taught me so much by your actions in the time we spent together. You taught me the value of a family. You taught me the value of the truest of love.

I know that I should not question God obviously because He knows and has His reasons, but I can’t help constantly asking myself: “ Why did you have to die?” We have a number of dreams we hoped we would realize. You served God fervently. Anyway, God knows best.

I take it you are the best of the roses in the garden and the Almighty wants the best.I know what you will love to hear and see and I will endeavour to always do those things.I wonder if I had lived the way you did, if God would have taken me too.They say only the good die in their prime. Farewell my darling. Good night.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2mlhVEh

Halima Dangote wants more women in key technology leadership positions

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As a part of its women empowerment initiative and sustained drive towards showcasing innovative women-led technology entrepreneurs, Dangote Group sponsored the “Women in Technology Session” at the ongoing Social Media Week.

Speaking of the session, Halima Dangote, Executive Director and daughter of Africa’s richest man, premised Dangote Group’s support for women leader in technology on the need to “sustainably integrate and empower women in the wave of digital led globalisation that is redefining humanity.”
Halima Dangote who serves as an Executive Director at Africa’s giant conglomerate, Dangote Industries Limited, ignited insightful conversations on the convergence of leadership, technology advancement and gender parity. She highlighted the multiplier effect any investment made in women and girls have on economies and called for more deliberate women participation in key leadership roles specifically in the ICT space which is reputed to be traditionally dominated by men.

According to the World Economic Forum, “Women make a smaller share of the overall workforce in technology companies and are even more under-represented when considering technology related roles.” To close the gender gap, more women need to be empowered and encouraged to take up roles in the tech sector.

However, despite the increased focus on the gender gap in the workplace and the society, significant gains have been recorded by organisations invested in integrating and empowering women entrepreneurs. Worthy of note is the “Dangote Foundation multi-billion naira micro-grant initiative” targeted at rural women across the federation. The women empowerment initiative provided financial resource to women beneficiaries and also cell phones to help connect and share information in a progressive way.

In addition, the Dangote Women Network (DWN) active in the area of championing professional development for women through collaboration, also raised over N20million for women and children IDPs in Nigeria last year and 4,000 Euros in Senegal.

Five women entrepreneurs’ at the “Women in tech session” were able to pitch their tech-driven businesses, showcasing their strategic use of technology in providing solutions to everyday needs.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2mWLzMY

Okowa’s aide lauded for empowering youths

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By Fredrick Okopie

Chief Kent Okiemute, Special Adviser on Political Matters to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, has been commended for empowering youths and women across the local government areas of the state.

Speaking after Okiemute, acommunity leader, distributed clothes, education materials and cash, during the construction of potable water projects in Kokori, Ethiope West Local Government Area, a community leader,  Mr Evuarherhe Eric, said: “Chief Okiemute has been empowering youths and women in the state in the areas of tailoring, fashion design and other skills.

“We appreciate him for the passion he has for the people despite the prevailing economic recession in the country.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Senate Deffections: The decimation of PDP

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The wave of defection hitting the opposition Peoples Democratic Party in the Senate in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress is a thing of worry in many political quarters now. With the heightening trend ahead of the 2019 election, many are beginning to imagine how the political space may look like.

The rate at which the National Assembly members elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, are defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has become a thing of concern to political watchers in the country.

Suggestions that senators who campaigned on particular party platforms and programmes would maintain fidelity with their campaign promises irrespective of circumstances that may come their way. But remarkably it is not so for Senators Joshua Dariye, Yele Omogunwa, Nelson Effiong and Andy Uba, who at different times denounced the PDP on whose platform they came into the Senate to join the APC.

Following the declaration of April 2015 National Assembly election results by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the APC had 64 senators; the PDP, 46. Labour Party, LP, was to subsequently claim one seat from the PDP when Senator Ovie Omo-Agege ousted Chief Ighoyota Amori from the Delta Central Senatorial seat. But with the declaration of election petition tribunals, court-ordered rerun elections, and verdicts from some Appeal Courts, the number of senators in the APC and PDP was altered. In all, the ruling APC benefited most from the decisions taken.

Remarkably, the spate of defections has been largely welcomed by the APC. Indeed, Senator Kabiru Marafa had in an appeal to Senator Ike Ekweremadu, the deputy president of the Senate called on him to defect from the PDP noting that membership of the opposition party was the only stain in the senator’s sterling qualities. All four defections in the Senate have been opposed by Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio who at various times declared that the seats belong to the PDP which he said would go to court to win back the seats.

In all four senators have defected from the PDP to the APC.

Joshua Dariye
SENATOR Joshua Dariye became the first PDP senator to defect on Thursday, September 22, 2016.

The former governor of Plateau State was first elected to the Senate in 2011 on the platform of Labour Party and defected to the PDP in the twilight of the last Senate and won re-election on the platform of the party on whose platform he served as governor between 1999 and 2007.

Senator Dariye is one of the former governors facing corruption charges, and it was not unusual when some thought that the defection was aimed to in him give him some protection.

He is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC for allegedly siphoning the state’s ecological fund to the tune of N1.16 billion. For nine years, his trial was delayed until February 2015 when the Supreme Court affirmed the competence of the Abuja court to try him.

His defection was also seen as a homecoming of sorts given the fact that the new governor of the state, Mr. Simon Lalong was his loyalist and Speaker of the Plateau House of Assembly at the time of his travails as governor.

Andy Uba

SENATOR Andy Uba, who formally announced his defection on the Senate floor last Tuesday became the latest senator to defect from the PDP. Senator Uba, one of the most powerful men during the Olusegun Obasanjo presidency, like the others, cited the crisis in the PDP for his defection.

But beyond that is the popular claim that the senator who had in the past contested the governorship office of Anambra State twice is again set to re-contest the office in the forthcoming election in the state.

In defecting from the PDP, Senator Uba is bound to lose his position as chairman of the Committee on Public Accounts given parliamentary convention that the juicy committee should be in the hands of the opposition.

Nelson Effiong

SENATOR Nelson Effiong, representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, defected to the APC on January 19, 2017

The senator cited divisions within the PDP as his reason for leaving the party. On the eve of his defection party stakeholders met at the residence of Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio where tremendous pressure was brought to bear on the senator not to leave the party. Effiong, a former Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and who is from the same senatorial district as the governor of the state, Udom Emmanuel, however, refused to cave in.

His primary reason for defection was alleged to be the friction between himself and the governor who it is alleged has already arranged a female former minister from the area as his successor.

Yele Omogunwa
SENATOR Yele Omogunwa, representing Ondo South Senatorial District defected to the APC on Thursday, November 24, 2016.

His defection just before the Ondo State governorship election came as a shock to the PDP in Ondo State. It was seen as a response to the decision of Governor Segun Mimiko to position his Ondo Central Senatorial district for the succession. Until Mimko brought out Eyitayo Jegede, the senator had cordial relations with the mainstream of the party and the former governor.

“I am no more in PDP, but now a bona fide member of APC. My reasons for joining APC are personal,” he had explained after announcing his defection.

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Delta Assembly seeks communities’ support for $20 billion gas park

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Members of the Delta State House of Assembly yesterday called on the host communities and other people of the state to ensure that work goes on smoothly in the proposed $20 billion gas park at Ogidigben in Warri South-West Local Council of the State.

They urged youths in the communities not to disrupt work but ensure that peace reigns in their domains to allow for timely completion of the project.

Representative of Warri South-West constituency, Daniel Mayuku and his Ika North-East constituency counterpart, Emeka Elekeokwuri, who spoke after plenary yesterday in Asaba, expressed delight at the project.

They added that it would reduce unemployment in the state, as it could create 250,000 jobs for the youths and other categories of workers.

“We do not want the irate youths to disrupt the project. We call on the host communities to ensure peace while work lasts. If you take a speedboat from Warri to Escravos, what you see are instruments of exploration.

“The Maritime University, which was almost taken away from the region, is the only project in the area. We hope that the gas project will be a stepping stone for others to come,” they said.

The lawmakers decried the level of development in the state and the Niger Delta region in general, describing the gas project as timely in view of prevailing current economic realities. They added that the project would boost the revenue and economic base of the state.

The Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, while speaking with international investors of the project at the Presidential Villa on Monday, had stated that building an industrial gas hub in Delta State was one of the feedbacks received during his recent visit to the state.

However, some irate youths in the host communities had allegedly threatened to disrupt work at the project site, saying what Osinbajo said was an empty promise as the Federal Government had neglected the Niger-Delta region.

But the lawmakers said the youths’ reason for planning to disrupt work at the project site was absurd and irrational.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachukwu, said on Tuesday in Abuja at the ongoing Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG) conference on “Reforming and Re-positioning the Oil and Gas Industry in Nigeria,

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2mHa954

Playing matchmaker: When the Little Mermaid met the brave Tin Soldier

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A few days ago, on Valentine’s Day, lovers around the world spent their days celebrating the love that brings them together. At least in some cases.

In most cases, it is hardly love that brings couples together. Instead it is less lovable emotions such as convenience, pressure, comfort, selfishness, loneliness, insecurity, or sexual needs. Only a small percentage of people are willing to do the toilsome work of understanding their social conditioning, and the understanding of social conditioning is the fertile ground where love; in its truest meaning of profound tenderness and passionate affection, can take root.

But what if the toilsome quest to self-knowledge were glossed with the gold dust of fairy tales, perhaps love would more frequently bring joy than agony. To investigate, I shall take the liberty to play matchmaker and spark a romance between characters from two entirely separate fairy tales – the Little Mermaid and the Brave Tin Soldier.

My guess is that OkCupid would approve. These two figures share a whole lot in common. Firstly, they come from the same planet, namely the brain of Hans Christian Andersen, a writer who had a knack for stories that equally enthral as well as dampen the moods of children to whom they are read. At least this was the case for me; reading, for instance, The Little Match Girl as a child was the equivalent of watching the news as an adult – entertaining and informative but acutely dispiriting.

Secondly, although they come from the same “planet”, the Little Mermaid and the Brave Tin Soldier both live in places that humans cannot access but which they influence. The Little Mermaid lives in the deepest, most magical of underwaters while the Brave Tin Soldier lives in the mischievous and unpredictable world of toys.

Let me briefly recap the fairytales, as I imagine most of you level-headed Guardian readers don’t spend your spare time in the yarns of children’s books. (Unless you have children.) But even then, you may not read fairytales as commentary on social psychology, (which they clearly are).

The Little Mermaid is the youngest of five mermaid sisters, who despite living in an ethereal universe wants to be human and gain access to heavenly afterlife, which humans – in true fairytale fashion – believe exists. For her wish to come true, the Little Mermaid must convince the earthly prince with whom she has become enamoured to marry her. However, the only way she can bedazzle him is by exchanging her tail for human limbs, and the only way that can be done – says the evil witch whom she visits – is in return for her angelic voice. So, she agrees to cut her tongue off, but it is in vain, as the prince – while enchanted with her – does not marry her, and by now it is too late for the Little Mermaid to retrieve her life.

The Brave Tin Soldier, on the other hand, has legs. But only one. For this reason, he falls in love with a lovely paper-lady dancer whom he perceives to be disabled like him. Although she is most likely actually a ballerina balancing on the tip of one foot with the other raised toward the sky. In his infatuated state, he refrains from sleeping in the toy storage cupboard with the other twenty-four soldiers (who all have two legs), so that he may gaze at the glorious paper-lady all night long. His defiance leads to punishment, including being chased by a rat, eaten by a fish and eventually our brave protagonist melts into the shape of a tin heart in a lethal fire.

Both the Little Mermaid and the Brave Tin Soldier have an obsession with legs that end up destroying their lives. And these are exactly the kinds of obsessions that people seek in their partner – looks, money, approval, power… are the equivalent of “legs”.

But if there’s one thing that in fact gives the Little Mermaid and the Brave Tin Soldier a leg up as a couple, it is that they both have endured suffering. To live, as Nietzsche said, is to suffer. If so, then to learn how to suffer is to learn how to live. In return, to learn how to live, is to learn how to love.

Therefore some of the most eloquent writing on love is by people who suffered for it, Anaïs Nin, C S Lewis, Zora Neale-Hurston… not to forget quasi-historical figures like Jesus or Buddha, who suffered and loved, loved and suffered. Or as Rumi, the Sufi poet, wrote: “The wound is the place where the light enters you”.

Love, I’m sure you’ll agree, is one of the most beautiful things about life. It is a quality that everyone yearns for, although some perhaps too much and others too little. So, it might be discouraging to think that suffering is a prerequisite for love. But it is not suffering in itself that gives depth to love, nor do I mean the kind of suffering that arises from poverty or illness. Rather, it is suffering from a lack of inner freedom that can wake you up. To develop traits such as honesty, courage, kindness, conscientiousness and ultimately, a kind of generosity of spirit, – as intimate love depends on – requires an awakening. Suffering can be the incentive for it although perhaps other things too, can.

Once upon a time, however, when the Little Mermaid and the Brave Tin Soldier met via Minna “OKCupid” Salami, rather than die for love, they learned to live. The End.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2lWLSIb

Firm boosts CSR investments in empowerment programme

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Empowerment

An indigenous upstream oil firm, Moni Pulo Limited, has increased its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) profile through the engagement of the host community in empowerment programme.

According to the company, it has also increase investments in CSR for its host community in Akwa Ibom State despite tough oil and gas business environment.

The company, which revealed this in a statement at the weekend, maintained that it increased CSR investments based on its commitment to improving the wellbeing of people in its host communities.

The company said: “in response to the need identified by the people of the Mbo and Effiat Local Council Areas of Akwa Ibom State, Moni Pulo Limited recently carried out the 2016 edition of its Community Empowerment Programme providing about 100 business owners from the community with key business equipment.”

“This is 7th of such empowerment programme carried out by Moni Pulo in Akwa Ibom State,” the statement added.

In her address at the event, the Executive Vice Chairman of Moni Pulo Limited, Dr. Seinye Lulu-Briggs said CSR is a core corporate value that Moni Pulo cherishes.

She emphasized that the programme aligns with the current global Sustainable Development Goals ”as it provides opportunities for the entrepreneur”, she was quoted to have said.

Through this Community Empowerment Initiative, Moni Pulo Limited has aligned with the ‘Dakka Da’ Social Awareness Initiative instituted by the Governor Udom Emmanuel’administration in Akwa Ibom State.

Furthermore, motivated by its mission to be a beacon of hope to succeeding generations of indigenous industries, the oil company, through this programme has created a platform for the indigenes of Akwa Ibom to further unlock their potentials and enhance their livelihoods.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2kUsXPr

Stakeholders task government on journalists’ safety

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journalists

Stakeholders in the media industry yesterday urged government to implement policies that would ensure the safety of journalists across the country.

Former Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association, Ikeja Branch, Monday Ubani, made the appeal at a media roundtable at the International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos.

Represented by Evans Ufelli, he spoke on “Safeguarding Press Freedom and Safety of Journalists Amidst Rising Conflict.”

Ubani, who was the key speaker, said the safety of media practitioners is crucial to the enhancement of democracy, which entails an open society.

According to him: “A high degree of press freedom is needed to build an inclusive knowledge-based society, fostering dialogue, peace and good governance. A strong press freedom also eradicates impunity and violation of human rights.”

Ubani said despite the provision of Section 22 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), media practitioners have not been granted any special protection to carry out their constitutional obligations without interference and threats to life.

The Editor of The Nation newspaper, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho, said journalists’ safety start with the individual because there is no story that is worth the life of a journalist.

Also, the Chairperson, Nigeria Association Of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Lagos State chapter, Mrs. Sekina Lawal, condemned non payment of journalists by media owners. She said journalists are not safe even in their organisations, as long as they are being owed backlog of salaries.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2lQVjc4

Chukwumerije for WTF coaching certification in US

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To update his knowledge as well as adhere to the rules of World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), three-time Olympian, Chika Chukwumerije at the weekend departed for Las, Vegas USA to participate in a coaching certification programme, scheduled to hold on January 30.

The certification will precede the commencement of the 2017 US Taekwondo Opens with athletes drawn across the globe for the four-day championship.

Chukwumerije, a certified taekwondo technical expert of the Kyang Hee University in South Korea will be eleigibible to coach at WTF-ranked event after his certification.

The event will take place at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino with a 2-hour session for the Kyreougi event and a 2-hour session for the Poomsae event and the Beijing Olympic Games bronze medalist has registered for both events.

“Nigeria Taekwondo must not be caught on the back foot when it comes to starting at the fore-front of issues. Even though that this trip is a personal sacrifice, it is a necessary one if we are to remain relevant on the global stage,” he said.

The 2007 African Games gold medalist added: “With the rules changing every few months, our National teams and upcoming players need to know the latest changes and factor it into their training sessions so they can have the advantage at major internationals.”

 

The post Chukwumerije for WTF coaching certification in US appeared first on Vanguard News.

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No American court has ordered my extradition, says Kashamu (Read full details)

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Buruji Kashamu

The senator representing Ogun East in the National Assembly, Senator Buruji Kashamu, yesterday dismissed reports that an America court had ordered his extradition to the United States.

Kashamu, in a statement in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, yesterday described the reports as “totally unfounded, vexatious and malicious” and being spread by “mischievous elements,” insisting that “there is no extradition proceedings against me anywhere in the world.”

He added: “I asked my lawyers in the US to file the suit when I got wind of an evil plot to abduct me in 2015, which later happened between May 23 and 28, 2015, until there was a judicial intervention, which ordered the US officials and their local collaborators out of my Lagos residence.

“It should be noted that there is no extradition proceedings against me anywhere in the world. The last one they purportedly brought after the siege to my residence was dismissed by the Federal High Court, Abuja on July 1, 2015.

Buruji said he had faced two extradition proceedings in the United Kingdom at the instance of the US and the British court found out that it was a case of mistaken identity after four rigorous years of trial.

He insisted that no fresh extradition proceedings could be brought against him, saying any other purported extradition proceedings or abduction is illegal.

No American court has ordered my extradition, says Kashamu  

Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2kcS4O8

Africa’s first catholic TV network debuts on DSTV (Read full details)

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Lumen Christi Catholic Television has started offering its services on the Direct to Home Television (DSTV) platform, in a renewed initiative to reach viewers worldwide.

Lumen Christi is the first Catholic television network in Africa. Its Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Prince Soji Olagunju, told newsmen in Lagos yesterday that the station had been allocated Channel 350 on DSTV to broadcast round the clock.

Olagunju said this was coming at a time Catholics in Nigeria and Africa needed to be educated and informed about religious developments in the continent.

Olagunju said he was concerned that the church in Africa, with millions of lay faithful, did not have direct means such as television stations, for the work of evangelism.

He said he felt inspired to present to the Catholic Church in Africa, a channel that would complement the work of the church and restore hope to those who had lost their Catholic faith, saying the station would be offering purely Catholic contents round the hour, featuring Mass, Angelus, Benediction and Holy Rosary Recitations to deepen knowledge of the Catholic faith, which has a huge following in Nigeria.

Daily news segments, Bible studies, Christian movies, holy Eucharist, confessions and other church sacraments, as well as documentaries on church history would also be on offer.

Africa’s first catholic TV network debuts on DSTV

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Police arrest 65 year-old man for defilement, three others for rape

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Men of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested a 65 year-old man, Alosuposo Louis for raping two minors aged ten and eight years respectively in Ayetoro area of the state.

The State Police Command’s Spokesman, Mr. Abimbola Oyeyemi in a release yesterday in Abeokuta, disclosed that the suspect was arrested following a complaint from the mother of one of the victims who lodged a complaint.

The woman claimed to have noticed strange behaviors from her daughter, which made her interrogate the girl thoroughly and discovered she had been defiled.

Following the complaint, The DPO, Mr. Makinde Kayode led a team of policemen to arrest the suspect. According to Oyeyemi, further investigations revealed that the suspect had also violated another minor, adding that the two victims were lured into his apartment where he carried out the evil act.

Oyeyemi confirmed that the man had confessed to committing the crime while the two victims were taken to General Hospital Ayetoro, for medical treatment.

In a related development, the police also arrested three teenagers who were said to be students of Ajagbe High School for raping a female student of the same school. Their arrest followed a report by the father of the victim, simply identified as Salau, who complained that the suspects dragged his daughter into the bush, where they brutally raped her.

According to Oyeyemi, the DPO of the Iperu Police Division Bernard Ediagbonya led his men to the forest where the suspects were arrested.The suspects, Uloko Austin, Adekunle Quadri and Orenuga Aliu were said to be members of a secret cult known as “Ajagbe youngest nation”.

Oyeyemi disclosed that the State Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu had ordered the immediate transfer of the two cases to the Anti-human Trafficking and Child Labour Unit of State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for further investigations.

Vía The Guardian NigeriaThe Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2jGASwI

Nigerians to pay more for hospital bills, as teaching hospitals groan under recession (Read full details)

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As the economic recession bites harder, Nigerians may soon pay more for medical treatments in teaching hospitals nationwide if the Committee of Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) current lobby of the Federal Ministry of Health sails through.

The rising cost of running the hospitals and slow infrastructural development due to the dwindling economy has prompted the committee to approach the Ministry of Health for an approval to increase charges on medical services.

Chairman of the Committee, Dr. Thomas Agan, in an interaction with some newsmen in Calabar yesterday, said: “The recession is affecting every thing. Beside infrastructure, electricity bill is one of the greatest challenges. We pay almost N6m monthly. And in the absence of public power supply, the generators are functioning very well.”

On current strike action by resident doctors, he said the hospitals owe resident doctors their sponsorship allowance and appealed to them to exercise some patience, saying government would take into consideration some of these things.

Nigerians to pay more for hospital bills, as teaching hospitals groan under recession

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Fake news are a result of a failed intelligence community, stakeholders

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President Muhammadu Buhari

As the Presidency continues to defend the rumours about the President’s state,consequent to the reports of his death circulated by some online sites, security experts in the country attributed the trend of circulating fake news to the failure of the intelligence community in the country .

The Guardian recently reported that a directive to work out acceptable but stiff frameworks to arrest and prosecute fake news peddlers is underway,to be implemented by some key security agencies.

But stakeholders in the security sector are urging security agencies in the country to up their game, before the trend gets out of hand,especially before the 2019 elections.

Kabir Adamu, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Beacon Security Consultants said the intelligence community in Nigeria needs to do more because the uneasiness generated by the fake news of the death of the president would have overwhelmed the country, if the mainstream media had keyed into the reports.

In a similar vein, another security expert, Max Gbanite said ability ofthese fake news about Buhari to gain traction in the country, portends
grave danger to the nations democracy and nationhood in general, as a good population of the President’s supported in the far North can misrepresent
this to represent anther form of sabotage. He said stories ought to be confirmed before they are published and the failure of the nation’s security architecture to monitor anything online before it goes out like China, America and other developed nations is the cause of this unfortunate trend.

Vía The Guardian NigeriaThe Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2kcHfvg