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Showing posts from 2017

The Lion and The Jungle: Musings From Zimbabwe

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Zimbabwe’s military may not be sophisticated in terms of weaponry and the art of modern warfare, but what it lacks in hardware components, it has compensated for it in maturity, decorum and caution. What could have spilled over to a state of anomie has become a precedence for upholding democratic values in Africa. Mugabe’s initial resistance and the seemingly disappearing acts of “Gucci” Grace Mugabe, his wife is a reflection of the do or die nature of many African leaders who become drunk with power and so insensitive to the yearnings and sufferings of the masses by using state apparatus to hold on to power. The story of the lion in the jungle in Igbo tradition reflects the African leader’s loss of his territorial powers and strength to the same people he claims to protect. “The Lion claims to be the king of the jungle, but when the jungle is on fire, the lion will be on the run” the proverb ends by asking the question, “can the lion be greater than the jungle? It’s a dance of

Tales of Horror in Libya: The Indifference of The African 'Brotherhood'

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Bob Marley’s concerns over three decades ago regarding the unity of Africans saying, “when will African people unite, when will black people come together?” has yet again resonated by the actions and inactions of Africans to the plight of its own people in Libya and of course many other parts of the continent. Africans are guilty of indifference in as much as they continue to allow the wickedness of the wicked to thrive. The horrific pictures and tales from migrants from West Africa trying to cross the Mediterranean, the trek of death in the desert and worse still the sufferings they face in the hands of fellow Africans are scary, disheartening and overwhelming. A continent which boasts of wealthy captains of industries and CEOs in billions of dollars, owners of private jets and expensive jetties, politicians who have had to store up their wealth in Panama and other foreign accounts to avoid being prosecuted, mega churches with so much land space that they are already regarded

How To Get Blood Donors From Minority Groups: An Outline For Policy Implementation

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PROPOSED INITIATIVES FOR POLICY IMPLEMENTATION In order to stem the tide of blood donor apathy among Blacks and Asian communities in the UK, the NHSBT can employ the following initiatives for implementation. Some of these initiatives may have been adopted by some countries, however, the complexity of the socio/economic melieu calls for adjustments rather than 100% adoption. New initiatives are also listed here which can fast-track the success of BAME 2020 strategy and provide new models for implementing short-term, middle-term and long-term goals. Making use of online global community to communicate to a large and diverse audience simultaneously for orientation (email backlinks, the use of social networking sites, etc.) The interconnectedness of our world has not only become an avenue for social interactions, it has also presented us a medium for marketing and sales, orientation of the public on government policies, as well as, public sensitization and awareness. For instance, Face

A Case For Blood Donation As Demand For Blood Rises

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Walking across emergency units in hospitals and health centers across the UK, one would naturally be saddened at the desperation, hopelessness and  confusion resulting from the urgent demand for blood for transfusion in order to rescue a dying family member, colleague or friend. The blood is not just there, when they are there, it’s not enough to cater for the demand and sometimes, the ones in stock doesn’t match. The situation is pathetic and disheartening. About 3 million donations are required in the country annually, however, 5% of the population donate blood which is a far cry from the demand. The NHSBT estimate has revealed a steady decline in blood donation since the turn of the century. It also reveals the indifferent attitude of African and Asian communities towards blood donation. Before delving into the palpable causes of this apathetic attitude, two concepts will be examined in relation to the shortage of blood donors in the UK and indeed most European countries, Canada

How To Survive Kidnappers' Den

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No one prays to be kidnapped and neither is the experience of being forcefully taking by fierce looking, gun bearing men a delight. However, like the popular saying, “if wishes were horses, beggars would ride,” and given the high rate of kidnapping , which has become rampant and has puzzled security agencies in Nigeria , regardless of whether you’re rich or poor, it has become imperative for expatriates, missionaries, Nigerians outside the country, to be conscious of this phenomenon and understand how they can prevent it in the first instance – prevention is better than cure.  In the event that it occurs, there are helpful tips to overcome the unpleasant ordeal in the kidnappers’ den to avoid injuries or death. Interestingly, the motives of kidnapping groups differ, while one seek financial gains through ransom, the other is extremely dangerous and difficult to survive as it is mainly for ritual purposes. The focus herein, is on the rather lucrative aspect of kidnapping for rans

Playing the Victim - This Black Community Thing is Counter-productive

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On the 22 nd of June, black students from the University of Toronto gathered at the Institution Hart House. Regardless of the motive, the segmentation of a particular race in a public institution should not be supported. What this further does is to create further gulf between the black community and others. Black Lives Matter  is an example of how a protectionist plot has failed in fact, in its quest to protect the Black communityin the US . Such movements cause further division and brings about suspicion. This is simply not the time to concentrate on what divides us, but to focus on how we all can effectively break any form of glass ceiling, and fight injustice done on the black community with subtle intelligence. It should be noted that the Civil Rights Movement of the 60s led by Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was successful because it wasn’t just about a single race. It was struggle that involved some white folks too. It will be in the collective interest of the Black communi

The 'Gospel' Against Mainstream Media According to Trump

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You may have probably lost count of the time you heard or read the President of the United States use the term “ fake News ” to depict some notable news organizations in the US such as CNN , New York Times, Washington Post and others, well I lost count too. Is there any justification for this labelling by the President of a country that tags herself as a country that upholds freedom of information? There are two answers to this question, one borders on what ought to and what is and the other is on the division of media outlets into two sides of the political divide. There is no doubt that the ideological background of news outlets in the US is filled with either expositions that appeal to the left wing or the right in what is referred to as media bias . This in fact, is an aberration of what the media ought to stand for. Both sides then go all out to find the negative sides of their presumed ideological enemy. In other words, CNN has a version of a story and Fox has its own

In search of the Perfect Husband and wife: Can celebrities be our guide?

Perhaps, one of the reasons why many ladies remain single is their quest to find that perfect man. Unfortunately, Mr. and Mrs. ‘perfect’ only exist in the movies, probably Bollywood. Nowadays, young boys and girls have a model of who they want to marry that they begin a weeding process by drawing out a list of character and attributes they desire. They rather remain single until the lady or man of their dreams emerge from jupiter. Celebrities such as Usher Raymond, Justin Bieber, and Snoop dog would appeal to ladies who are so much attached to pop music and of course, their scintillating voices and dance steps. Taylor swift, Amber Rose, Kim Kardashian, Alicia Keys, Rihanna and the evergreen Beyonce could be the perfect deal for young men. They’ve got amazing slim bodies that have been socially defined as beautiful, they also possess the glamor and style that satisfies our sexual cravings. When the flashy lives of celebrities become a yardstick for picking a partner, we can be

The normality in the misnormal of Serena's nude photo

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Some see it as normal, Serena enjoyed herself going nude, are we ready for more? A lot of reactions has trailed the recent pregnancy photos of Serena Williams on the Vanity Fair magazine , where she posed nude . While some are of the opinion that the Tennis Star may have gone too far since she is regarded as a role model to many women, others see it as ‘freedom’ for womanhood. Wherever you belong on the side of the argument, it is more than certain that we live in a world of constant flux, where some changes are inevitable. Whether you regard it as good or bad, it all depends on your value orientation which is a function of religion and cultural environment we find ourselves. Serena Williams Nude photos is only a glimpse, a tip of the iceberg to what tomorrow will bring. What seems immoral today is what will become the norm tomorrow. Every craze, fad and fashion which we accept today had once been considered a taboo and inappropriate. The presence of the material component of

LETTER TO MY FUTURE WIFE

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Dear Future Wife, Deep in the night’s hallowed chambers I wandered still why you tarry, Oh future wife! The path to your base is crooked, never laid on concrete The hunting expedition unending, but tireless I am in pursuit of the one with the waterpot, whose Cistern is for the thirsty sheeps and nations in need of water. Alas! You hide in the midst of the crowd, at the market place you were last seen, negotiating and paying for luggages you would yet bring. Never mind future wife! I need not get a truck load for us before you come I have a few luggages already if you don’t mind, the market has been tough here too Yours will only be an addition to what shall yet exceed Don’t worry dear future wife, I’ll find my way against the tide and race to the mountain top with the flag of a champion I’ll fight and with God on my side, I’ll win Please come out of the market and let’s go home You are made of more, of gold and raw ornaments for glamour With the linen of Grace you’re clo

Revisiting Feminist ideologies for sociocultural balance

The society no doubt has failed the female folk, with so much glass ceiling at workplace, income inequality , abuses and violent conducts. We have produced men with machismo vibes, mysogynists, arrogant, proud and boastful, boys with little or no kitchen knowledge and disrespectful. They grow up becoming who they were nurtured to be, some inevitably becoming beaters of women and filled with ego.  It is true that the Feminists’ appeal at seeking for a fair, just and balanced society by addressing issues that affect the female folk is worthy and essential for progress. However, in exercising the rights of women to protest and gain more relevance, thereby boosting their economic and social status, how cautious or loose can we be, especially among Africans and the vast majority of people in Europe and America who still believe that the family institution is the bedrock of the society ? Is it OK for everyone to be a Feminist? Replacing Family Institution or reshaping it? Historically,

WHY SUICIDE RATE IS ON THE INCREASE: AN ESSAY ON THE CAUSES OF SUICIDE.

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The prevalence of suicide in Nigeria and the forms it takes call for a more scientific evaluation of the motives especially at a time of economic uncertainty. Many have attributed the rise of suicide to depression and lack of support for those who need psychological help. However, taking a clue from a man credited to have taken the most succinct scientific approach to the study of suicide, Durkheim (1858-1920). According to him, the rate of Suicide is consequent upon the level of Social Integration. The more socially integrated a person is, that is, how he/she makes meaning of life within a social context, the less likely he is to committing suicide.  On the other hand, the less socially integrated an individual is, the more likely he is to commit suicide. Here are some of Durhheim’s findings in early 20 th century Europe; 1.        When comparing Protestants and Catholics, he discovered that the Suicide rate among Catholics were not common as a result of the social cohesion a

A new approach to the understanding of Suicide

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The Nigerian Experience: Suicide commitment in Nigeria is reaching a frightening dimension, a state of emergency and shocking, to say the least, considering the fact that Nigerians are known to value their own lives regardless of his/her situation. Perhaps, maybe the socio/economic situations weren’t as bad as it is at present. Before delving deep into the prevalence of suicide in Nigeria , it is important for us to understand the concept in its totality rather than the subjective definition based on what we see happening around us. A new approach to understanding the concept of Suicide Suicide is not just about an instance of killing oneself intentionally as described by most clinical definitions. In today’s world, especially in Nigeria I have observed a trend and a catastrophic one for that matter, which makes me rethink the definition of suicide . Consider a woman for instance, who is married to a man who abuses her and often causes physical injury on her body, yet she sti