tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85812692009730845222024-02-19T17:56:05.815-08:00Burnt Bottom PotBy the girl in the white top. Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581269200973084522.post-69336153080169184452012-12-23T06:40:00.002-08:002012-12-23T06:40:25.084-08:00This is Goodbye<div style="text-align: center;">
This is goodbye.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I wrote a post expressing everything I feel, how thankful I am to God, how very thankful I am to God who never fails and what new things I'm working on. But it is too long so let it dwell in my drafts folder.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I will miss this place but I'm not gone. When you have found love by the ocean, don't be afraid when you meet the snow. Your water spirit; you will find, in rain or in snow.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Oluwafunmilayo Yoruba Bini NakedSha Storyteller Oyatogun.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Watch out!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581269200973084522.post-74541117081314588062012-12-10T05:23:00.000-08:002012-12-10T05:23:06.438-08:00December 10, the Seventh One!...Omonoba...<br />
Our people are silent, in memory.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Last Year's Post: <a href="http://burntbottompot.blogspot.com/2011/12/december-10-another-one.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #073763;">The Tenth of December, The Sixth One</span></a>.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>To my 10/12/2005 60 LJC angels, especially:</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Chinonye Egbosimba,</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Mayowa Oyebode</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Sandra Gbemudu</b></div>
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<b>Stephanie Nwoko</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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The seventh time around, it is easier. </div>
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No tears, just deep, deep disappointment,</div>
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But the tears come and go, so today's none don't count.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I'm sorry. I still can't promise you that it won't happen again,</div>
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That it hasn't happened since then.</div>
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In fact, it has. Dana: that's what they called the latest one.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And resilience has become our best vice,</div>
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Maybe our biggest flaw,</div>
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Because some are moving on</div>
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Carrying the stench in the country...not away from it. </div>
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<br /></div>
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So, same song, same hurt, same story:</div>
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Damn you country so good at killing</div>
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Damn you (bitter) feelings for persevering. </div>
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Damn the soil that swallowed our pride.</div>
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Damn the price they paid with their lives</div>
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Damn the price we paid for their lies.</div>
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Damn the fire, damn the liar, damn the fire.</div>
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Damn their stories, their trials, their promises.<br style="background-color: #f0e1c2;" />Damn that "Rivers" State did not have water.</div>
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Damn you burned bridges, stolen future, incomplete histories. </div>
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And BLESS you heaven for accepting the ones we rejected. </div>
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We're better, the seventh time. </div>
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<br /></div>
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But we can never erase you; Thank God!</div>
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NakedSha.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581269200973084522.post-79641860062060171032012-11-12T18:38:00.000-08:002012-11-12T18:47:15.726-08:00Re: Are You The "Michelle" To his "Barack"?This is a response to <a href="http://www.bellanaija.com/2012/11/12/are-you-the-michelle-to-his-barack/" target="_blank"><b>Oluwamayowa Idowu</b></a>'s post on <a href="http://www.bellanaija.com/2012/11/12/are-you-the-michelle-to-his-barack/" target="_blank"><b>Bella Naija</b></a> titled: <i><a href="http://www.bellanaija.com/2012/11/12/are-you-the-michelle-to-his-barack/" target="_blank"><b>Are You The "Michelle" To His "Barack"?</b></a></i><br />
<br />
Alright. In 2007, it was cute, impressive and admirable to see a budding presidential aspirant, Senator Obama, campaign alongside his wife who outwardly portrayed beauty, strength and support. In 2012, it still is all the above things and more because more than just a mark of history, Barack Obama's successes, poise, oral skills and down-to-Earth nature of presidency are worthy of commendation amidst his political shortcomings. What else is beautiful about Barack Obama? His family. It is important that a man who is tasked to rule over the USA, and frankly - the free world, is sure to be able to hold together a family first. The Obamas represent themselves as close-knit, happy and full of joy. Yet, that's all we know because that's all they are clever enough to show. As a matter of fact, that's all that concerns the viewing public.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, people have decided that the Obamas should become the epitome of marriage.<br />
<br />
Enough of the romanticization and idealization of the Obamas. Enough! Enough of the one-size-fits-all propaganda that women are being bombarded with in the name of <i><b>potential</b></i>. Instead of being a remarkable example of two lovers and their ability to overcome and thrive, two camps have stolen this story, sensationalized it and used it to enforce their own agenda.<br />
<br />
The first camp uses this story as a weapon of chastisement for women who have refused to marry less rich men for other reasons beyond simply being less rich. And women are buying into this nonsense because many women like to make men feel like they (women) agree with the men so that men will like them. They also use this weapon as a broom to sweep under the carpet the crap that plenty women take from men daily; crap that money could never erase. The average Nigerian woman who's married to the average Nigerian man will face patriarchal bullshit in her life and marriage and will be unable to seek help because the church, the society and her family will send her right back to the mess she's trying so desperately to run from. When you do not take into account the societal disparities between the US and Nigeria, you simplify the struggle of the Nigerian woman and reduce her to a weave-loving, BlackBerry-craving, unable-to-love person.<br />
<br />
The second camp uses this story to propagate the agenda of the men who have thrived on excuses and continue to do so. The world, as we know it, is a men's resource center. So, the story of the Obamas fits in nicely with the goal of men who have decided that they do not have to work for the commitment of the women they want to be with. If a woman decides that she wants to request a similar number of cards to the ones she brings to the table from the man she would like to marry, that's not gold-digging. Many women have been chastised by the members of this second camp because they did not genuinely fall in love with someone who's not earning the same salary as they are. Look, there are gold-diggers just as there are women who choose to marry who they will marry best. Not every less rich woman who marries a rich man is a gold-digger. Not every rich woman who marries a less rich man will become first lady to the president of a country. <br />
<br />
<i><b>Potential</b></i> happens to be the most abused term in the whole hoopla about <i>Barack and his Michelle</i>. We are all born with potential so if that's all women are required to seek in men, that's unacceptable. Maybe women should be asked to look for potential + competence (compotency), rather than just potential. May I also add that any man who graduates from 'the' Harvard University has a kind of potential that is matched by few other degree-granting institutions. Employability, is only one aspect of this. Barack Obama was not a mere intern at a law firm; he was an intern, at a leading law firm, with a degree from Harvard. If you graduate from Harvard, you probably don't even need that much competence, because your degree is competent enough. Sad and often overlooked reality. This does not mean that a man's university diploma should be the deciding factor of a man's 'compotency'. I believe a woman would know if the man she plans to marry will achieve success whether or not his current salary is meager compared to hers. Have you ever stopped to wonder whether Michelle Obama even regarded her marriage to Obama as 'marrying down?' Maybe not. I'm guessing that Obama displayed ALL of his present day strengths in some form or another even though not in presidential capacity. They may have regarded themselves as equals after all. So, carrying the headache of their economic disparities at that time on one's head and laying it out as a codebook for women is seriously flawed. Usually, a man's small salary today is not enough to blindside a woman from his 'compotency'; especially a woman who loves him.<br />
<br />
If you like, go about with an 'Am I a Michelle to his Barack' mentality, and ignore very real signs that are glaring in your relationship. Disney couldn't write a better fairy tale: Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, the Little Mermaid...none of those come close to the disaster that romanticizing Barack and Michelle poses. And we all know how disastrous these fairy tales are.<br />
<br />
So, instead of asking women, 'Are You The "Michelle" to his "Barack"?, ask yourself, am I competent enough to allow my potential flourish? Assuming, the double-standard of this enabling resource center for men (a.k.a the world) allows you.<br />
<br />
Long live the Obamas. May they outlive the bullshit recipe that men, especially Nigerian men, are concocting in their name.<br />
<br />
NakedSha.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581269200973084522.post-69507529630540506012012-09-29T12:09:00.002-07:002012-09-29T12:11:29.240-07:00Out of my Head: Abuse...Omonoba...<br />
Our people say: He who wears the shoe knows where it pinches.<br />
....................................................................................................................................<br />
<br />
We were having a conversation on<b> <a href="http://www.mynewhitmanwrites.com/2012/09/victims-eliminating-domestic-violence.html#comment-form" target="_blank">Myne Whitman's blog about Domestic Violence</a></b>. The discussion was among Myne, a certain Anonymous and me. You can find the full convo<a href="http://www.mynewhitmanwrites.com/2012/09/victims-eliminating-domestic-violence.html#comment-form" target="_blank"><b> here.</b></a><br />
<br />
Let me reiterate:<br />
<br />
In response to anonymous' comment against vilifying abusers:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjII4Ka6d-ekG9Zv7pNMI4fYNcqL3H9OG0ZXVz_icklfLYUuuoFZ9pSw49NiuXVRV1gKOCCyU8GEQq3_opTJGYkIb52sI-sPy97FroBcGj-FTv0kWoVMOxPWiWUD7F6qYYqRQ7HxaCiGb9s/s1600/NakedSha+on+DV.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjII4Ka6d-ekG9Zv7pNMI4fYNcqL3H9OG0ZXVz_icklfLYUuuoFZ9pSw49NiuXVRV1gKOCCyU8GEQq3_opTJGYkIb52sI-sPy97FroBcGj-FTv0kWoVMOxPWiWUD7F6qYYqRQ7HxaCiGb9s/s400/NakedSha+on+DV.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYKuUOzllWKb2J00U7IQzqxbQzaxkOn5_Q4_1lG6GHverJlZVYwYiFBFRqi77JLolby4iyGCQ8MGHqbWJSMzxNhAW2vNzhyphenhyphenclUKoZxN0iPuFkMQMm7kHQNTWs78h37CgTpGGIbRil5jab/s1600/NakedSha+on+DV+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYKuUOzllWKb2J00U7IQzqxbQzaxkOn5_Q4_1lG6GHverJlZVYwYiFBFRqi77JLolby4iyGCQ8MGHqbWJSMzxNhAW2vNzhyphenhyphenclUKoZxN0iPuFkMQMm7kHQNTWs78h37CgTpGGIbRil5jab/s400/NakedSha+on+DV+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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In response to Anonymous' comment against cut and dried solutions to issues and suggestion that it may pay off to stay in an abusive relationship for children, etc:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3RIWmxYm0HjxMWzihHA4ACFKMkONHbVgBx4Qc4iFkxVleKrjPKl5brWV163xrenLQAoG4Fmg3AzQ1onfMzAaxcY_ExogeXLFZXOjQDx-dw6z4XnwhdSaKVk_HIJx_YYCj3Td2StPxqyUr/s1600/NakedSha+on+DV+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3RIWmxYm0HjxMWzihHA4ACFKMkONHbVgBx4Qc4iFkxVleKrjPKl5brWV163xrenLQAoG4Fmg3AzQ1onfMzAaxcY_ExogeXLFZXOjQDx-dw6z4XnwhdSaKVk_HIJx_YYCj3Td2StPxqyUr/s400/NakedSha+on+DV+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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In response to Anonymous' suggestion that church people may be the best to confide in during abuse:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZtNCHWemaGcj14UNEmtQZxCWltHnkgCpF7LmRO1aPsQFzhZGpowg9Figf868dO3fbR6u76of1xsATD9-dbRsxg7SOeIqyahDUJDxUyAqA3B49knanGqsJrbTkqvSJI84mkIbkSHWDTxr/s1600/NakedSha+on+DV+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZtNCHWemaGcj14UNEmtQZxCWltHnkgCpF7LmRO1aPsQFzhZGpowg9Figf868dO3fbR6u76of1xsATD9-dbRsxg7SOeIqyahDUJDxUyAqA3B49knanGqsJrbTkqvSJI84mkIbkSHWDTxr/s400/NakedSha+on+DV+4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Bless,<br />
NakedSha.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581269200973084522.post-66971020183484152572012-09-14T12:13:00.003-07:002012-09-14T12:36:27.536-07:00Letter #9 - To My Grandfather.13 Letters: Letter to a deceased person I would like one more day with.<br />
<br />
My maternal grandfather's death stung me like a scorpion. I miss the man, especially because there was a lot I had planned out to say to him. Then he died.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgschmddAYyGc51KihMhiDdfNfw0XTwZMrfz-n8dwCys2uihxr-hqAKm1zzi40QTemsJbakDQQw7Ug_GkSjQYTuagFqJElGQwxgTjy31gqiuXMMwgOjqUrIEk7ETJL4BJdVMuPPRUQwt6Mt/s1600/Blog+Version+-+13+Letters+No.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgschmddAYyGc51KihMhiDdfNfw0XTwZMrfz-n8dwCys2uihxr-hqAKm1zzi40QTemsJbakDQQw7Ug_GkSjQYTuagFqJElGQwxgTjy31gqiuXMMwgOjqUrIEk7ETJL4BJdVMuPPRUQwt6Mt/s640/Blog+Version+-+13+Letters+No.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Click to read it.<br />
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Bless people,<br />
NakedSha.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581269200973084522.post-33565761487013247592012-09-12T14:55:00.001-07:002012-09-12T14:57:45.506-07:0013 Handwritten LettersI love writing letters. At this point, that's like saying I'm a woman. I saw <a href="http://this-is-why-i-write.blogspot.com/2012/09/write-letter.html" target="_blank"><b>this meme on Bumight's blog</b></a> and I've tweaked it. I'll be writing 13 letters :) Let's go!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7sUYrnFTxqveylGaHzbv4n8nD_K1vQ8As576_OFT784wL3KmdxPp_sT0tOvTT7sqF1HIZJq9_sWzyGLVehcZZzAbn4iN0bltQC9jzl1qwW3gMhdLBnBoutiU19HXQT_e5_9apCXmJXPe/s1600/Letter+Mine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7sUYrnFTxqveylGaHzbv4n8nD_K1vQ8As576_OFT784wL3KmdxPp_sT0tOvTT7sqF1HIZJq9_sWzyGLVehcZZzAbn4iN0bltQC9jzl1qwW3gMhdLBnBoutiU19HXQT_e5_9apCXmJXPe/s640/Letter+Mine.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
1. Oldest friend (in terms of length of friendship).<br />
<br />
2. Oldest friend (in terms of age)<br />
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3. Port Harcourt City.<br />
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4. My body.<br />
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5. Dream (future ambition).<br />
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6. Dream (sleep-getaway)<br />
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7. Favorite internet personality.<br />
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8. Someone I'd like to meet.<br />
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9. A deceased person I would love one more day with.<br />
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10. Someone from my childhood.<br />
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11. The person I'd like to be.<br />
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12. Someone who I think about a lot.<br />
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13. Someone I speak Pidgin with.<br />
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NakedSha!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581269200973084522.post-8632522096557959822012-08-25T11:28:00.000-07:002012-08-25T11:28:11.678-07:00Who will Abide?Our people say:<br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><b>Yoruba</b></span>:<b> Ekuro lalabaku ewa.</b><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><b>Eng:</b></span> <b>The kernel dies along with the bean</b>. - <span style="color: #660000;"><b>Yoruba proverb.</b></span><br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Abide with me, fast falls the even tide</div><div style="text-align: center;">The darkness deepens, Lord with me abide</div><div style="text-align: center;">When other helpers fail and comforts flee</div><div style="text-align: center;">Help of the helpless, O, abide with me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh Thou who changest not, abide with me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">In life in death O Lord, abide with me. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Back. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I'd have to put up a post on Nigeria once I can steal some time. They are never surprising, the things I see each time, but they are ALWAYS amusing eventually. Like, the two signs along Yaba - Iddo that point left and right but have no places named. I'll put it up once I dig through my camera.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Rubayo Ibin </div><div style="text-align: left;">or NakedSha.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581269200973084522.post-58399356069620948372012-08-04T09:18:00.001-07:002012-08-04T09:20:29.488-07:00Darling Readers: I Need Your Help, Please!...Omonoba...<br />
Our People Say:<br />
"Please, help the needy" =D<br />
<br />
Please, where in Lagos could I get 'Nigerian' arts and craft? I need all sorts, in large quantities, jewelry, masks, pottery, and other souvenirs...<br />
<br />
I know of the stores in Federal Palace Hotel and Eko Hotel. Does anyone know of a market though, I need a ton!<br />
<br />
Please, who knows? :)<br />
<br />
Thanks,<br />
NakedSha.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581269200973084522.post-82808217719869156892012-07-19T17:37:00.004-07:002012-07-19T17:49:36.214-07:00Nneoma Ike-Njoku: 17 Year Old Visionary...Omonoba...<br />
Our people say:<br />
<b>Yoruba: <span style="color: #990000;">A ki i fi ojuboro gba omo lowo ekuro.</span></b><br />
<b>English: <span style="color: #990000;">One does not easily or casually take a child from the palm-nut.</span> - Yoruba proverb.</b><br />
....................................................................................................................................<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.freefuninitiative.yolasite.com/" style="line-height: 17px;">www.freefuninitiative.yolasite.com</a><span style="line-height: 17px;">.</span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Why there's hope for Nigeria, II:<br />
<br />
Nneoma Ike-Njoku is a vibrant, young Nigerian student who has already started working on an idea which she got in her teens. I interviewed her two weeks ago before she graduated from secondary school and she was very excited for word to go out about her project, The FreeFun Initiative. Now, she's a 5-day old graduate from secondary school; here's more about her and her project:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMW6VzwrJ_5KV2nQFi6JVJ2CLroy8SXadxkw3WlHcVQANeppRKaOh5PbiQaJIjcM3XahVxxHMXOaZnO_oepVuBi5a6L3-in0nJWusPpvOCEIlc7ca-cnJ55iofOZjLx6OH0ypX3dyZ_im/s1600/Nneoma+Thelma+Ike-Njoku+LJC+Set+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMW6VzwrJ_5KV2nQFi6JVJ2CLroy8SXadxkw3WlHcVQANeppRKaOh5PbiQaJIjcM3XahVxxHMXOaZnO_oepVuBi5a6L3-in0nJWusPpvOCEIlc7ca-cnJ55iofOZjLx6OH0ypX3dyZ_im/s400/Nneoma+Thelma+Ike-Njoku+LJC+Set+2012.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> <b> </b></span><b>Tell us who you are and your background.</b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><ul><li>I'm Nneoma Ike-Njoku, 17 year old CEO of FreeFun Initiative. I'm the second child in a family of six children and I’m graduating next week from Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja.</li>
</ul></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><b>2. What’s the FreeFun Initiative?</b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><ul><li>The FreeFun Initiative is an organization focused on linking talented young people in high schools with internship opportunities at renowned businesses and organizations for free. I've had the idea for sometime before creating my website in June this year. With FreeFun, young people can have fun while 'amp-ing' up their CVs and gathering experiences for college applications and thereafter! We are located at <a href="http://www.freefuninitiative.yolasite.com/">www.freefuninitiative.yolasite.com</a></li>
</ul></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><b>3. This project is quite unique and timely. Where did such a brilliant idea come from?</b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><ul><li>The inspiration for my business came after I was rejected from my first choice college. While comparing my application with the applications of those who were accepted, I found a crucial difference- a lot of them had impressive and varied internship and extracurricular experiences, and more opportunities than are available to high school students in Nigeria and Africa.</li>
</ul></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><b>4. FreeFun is still in infancy. So, what are your goals for the project?<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><ul><li>I intend to get a hundred businesses registered with the FreeFun Initiative by December, and to extend our scope to Africa by June next year.</li>
</ul></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><b>5. Do you intend to eventually extend the audience of the Initiative beyond the shores of Nigeria and to college and university students?<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><ul><li>Yes! We’re not limiting ourselves to secondary school students or to Nigeria only. Right now our main focus is on getting the business on its feet. One of our goals is to enter into other African countries within a year. Primarily, we target talented young people who are passionate about exploring their career options.</li>
</ul></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><b>6. Being this young and with such a young audience, how are you funding this project?<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><ul><li>Luckily, the nature of the project means that it requires little financial input.</li>
</ul></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><b>7. What can Nigerians do to participate or support you?<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><ul><li>I would like for young people to go on our website and register and for as many businesses as possible in Nigeria to register with the Initiative.</li>
</ul></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><b>8. What’s your publicity strategy?<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><ul><li>I intend to get as much publicity as possible, in order to encourage more young people to join, and bring in as many businesses as I can. Blogs like yours are helping me achieve this. I am also entering my business ideas for a number of competitions, but primarily to get the word out there. From July, (after my graduation), I will be visiting high schools throughout Abuja with a few friends to talk about the initiative and encourage students to join. I've also began to contact a few businesses, also within Abuja. If we're able to meet the ''100 Businesses'' mark by December, we'll have a platform to reach other businesses and high schools in Africa by next year. Hopefully, the world won't be far behind! Accounts on online network platforms are also in the works.</li>
</ul></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><b>9. What’s the reaction from your family and friends?<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><ul><li>My parents are really excited. Our family's piggery in Nassarawa state is already registered with FreeFun! My brother is presently my PR person. He's going to New York University in Abu Dhabi and is telling all his friends about FreeFun, getting them to join and participate.</li>
</ul></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><b>10. What are your favorite movie, song, musician, book?<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><ul><li>Oh my God, everyone HAS to read Maggie O'Farrell's incredible novel, <i>After You'd Gone</i>. It's a beautiful, incredible book. I'm totally in love with Bruno Mars, but my favorite song has to be John Legend's ''Best You Ever Had''. I recently watched <i>Think like a Man</i>, it is cool.</li>
</ul></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><b>11. Do you have any mentors?<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><ul><li>Oprah is a real inspiration to me, I love how she can take something she truly cares about and translate that into something that everyone can relate to. I also admire her strong business sense.</li>
</ul></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><b>12. Tell us something fascinating or unusual or unique about yourself.<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast"><ul><li>I speak English, read Spanish and write French, and I hold certificates in all three of them. I also bear an uncanny resemblance to Kelly Rowland, and eat more coffee flavored ice-cream than anyone I know!</li>
</ul></div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>To be part of this project or to register your business visit <a href="http://www.freefuninitiative.yolasite.com/">www.freefuninitiative.yolasite.com</a>. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">As naked as beings come,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">NakedSha.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581269200973084522.post-83427467912222792922012-07-17T13:54:00.002-07:002012-07-17T13:57:37.212-07:00Loyola Jesuit College - Valedictorian Speech, 2012...Omonoba...<br />
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Why there's hope for this country:<br />
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My little brother graduated on Sunday from secondary school. This child has brought nothing but pride and joy to us and on Sunday, as valedictorian, his speech was nothing short of amazing. After winning the speech and debate award, Secretary General of Nigerian Model United Nations (NISSMUN) last year, he 'bossed' the speech. Did I mention, he wrote and presented the speech impeccably by himself and he's 16!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvPJ2wJkO3PfGr8QkuFDMd5wKLsELiuVAnvYroQt8TL_ycueZtE9Gkl6bZGpBow4-iZ1jgttsExsRBAGL6gliRMcNslT5eoYYIBLIyI9ZjU3NQJUqyEhger9XI0mLtJBWDzfal6q2GfZt/s1600/Muyiwa's+Grad+Pic+for+BBP.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvPJ2wJkO3PfGr8QkuFDMd5wKLsELiuVAnvYroQt8TL_ycueZtE9Gkl6bZGpBow4-iZ1jgttsExsRBAGL6gliRMcNslT5eoYYIBLIyI9ZjU3NQJUqyEhger9XI0mLtJBWDzfal6q2GfZt/s400/Muyiwa's+Grad+Pic+for+BBP.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
None of our videos is clear and the official copy doesn't arrive until another couple weeks. However, I'll share the speech here. The effect is incomplete without the video but I hope you get 60% of what the entire hall felt for 18+ minutes on Sunday at LJC. And, as soon as I get the vid, I'll share it.<br />
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Congratulations to you, honey, and to the 2012 graduating class of Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;"> The Vagaries of Jail<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Throughout this speech, I expect you to listen, to laugh and to clap for me. If you obey these rules, I can assure you that you will be “touched” at the end of the speech. The chairman, Board of Trustees, the Board of Trustees, the Board of Governors, the President, Loyola Jesuit College, the Principal, Vice-Principal Academics, Vice-Principal Student Life, the Chaplain, Guests of Honour, Visiting Principals, Staff of Loyola Jesuit College, our parents and families, invited guests and well-wishers, the Graduating Class, the students, ladies and gentlemen; good afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">My name is Oluwamuyiwa Benjamin Oyatogun. To say that I am privileged to be here right now is nothing short of a gross understatement. I am honoured and more than grateful to be the Valedictorian of the Class of 2012. Putting six years- the joys, the pains, the sweat, the memories, the trials, challenges and lessons- in a fifteen minute speech is not enough, it is impossible, it is a Herculean task. However, it is only when we try to do that that all can learn the lessons we learned and have a little taste of what it has been for us.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The running joke is that LJC is actually a Local Jail for Children. It is no wonder that for the past six years we have been kept in here as prison “inmates”. We have also been on trial for six years. Can you imagine? Our parents, the judges and the jury, have adjourned this case for far too many terms. Alas, today has been chosen to be the last day of this court case. Today, I will tell you all we have been through while in custody at this prison. And we ask, today, to be given bail from Loyola… forever!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">We started as a hundred and fifty-one sprightly individuals from different tribes, different backgrounds. We arrived here full of hope and too many possibilities, only you could not see it all on that first day. Kemi was crying, Uche was begging to go back, Bamidele was so excited, Okechukwu would not speak to anyone. Being the immediate set after a tragedy that had occurred in the jail a year earlier, we arrived as the largest set ever admitted. It was difficult for many of us adapting to a new style of life with new sets of people everywhere on the compound. Getting familiar in a place where all the buildings seem constantly to be running away from each other, where the food appears drab compared to home food, and bells rule the day, cannot be a walk-over. There were other “inmates” in this jail who helped us settle down and our teachers- or should I call them “prison wardens”? - And of course, Mr. Paulinus: the Disciplinarian or the chief warden. After the first year of the trial session, the judges - our dear parents- felt we were still guilty. Guilty of what? Bad </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">behavior</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">, improper training for the future, and still being too fat. The case was adjourned and we were sent back.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The next year seemed better; the prison had begun forming us. We were still quite restless of course, but after a year here, we had gotten familiar with the terrain. Well, things went on fine, until tragedy was sprinkled in our story line. One of us developed a brain tumour and was away from jail for months undergoing treatment. We did not know what to do. We were probably too young to understand. We prayed, though and always had her in our hearts because she was, and still is one of us. It was very disheartening when on the 6<sup>th</sup> of May, 2008 Melissa Adele went to be with the Lord. It seemed unreal, but there the truth was, right in front of us. We submitted to the will of God although with so much hurt. Melissa remains dear to us. We believe that God wanted one more LJC angel with Him. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Still recovering from the loss, our third year came and back we were to LJC; The Local Jail for Children, Loyola Jesuit College. This was the year we wrote the Junior Secondary School Certificate Examination. We were fully part of the jail now, but we needed to prove the three years spent here already had been fruitful. From staying up late at night to read, to carrying notes everywhere on the compound, we seemed set for the examinations. The signs of success were already showing: Chisom Okafor came first in the NAFDAC National Competition. And so, we wrote the exams with high hopes which were not dashed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">What did we learn after spending three years in here? We learnt a lot. In this jail, no one settles for less than the best. What we felt was good now appeared here as okay. What we thought was excellent now appeared as good. The competition especially in this set is very, very strong. Everyone tries to outdo the other person. Furthermore, we learnt to relate better with others. In life, you can never achieve anything alone and everything that happens is a stepping stone unto greater achievements. So, when we went for the long court hearing; better known as the Jss3 holiday, we realized that we had not been fully formed. We had to return to finish our formation.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">In SS1, the fourth year, we returned as more mature, intellectual individuals. Friendships were improved upon and new ones created. We began taking up leadership roles in different associations and groups. We also became familiar with new subjects, with electives, and physics, and chemistry and cyanide! </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">Do you know what it means to climb the rocky mountains of Jos on cold mornings or to get lost in the bushes of Plateau State without food or water? You don’t? Well, we don’t either. For the first time in the history of the jail, we had our Man o’ War in school. Man o’ war is an intense and rigorous two week ‘’near death experience’’. Okay, the real definition. It is a Citizenship and Leadership Training Programme that helps to keep our brains active through activities like the initiative test. It makes sure we are fit through jogging, </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">exercises</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">, assault tests among others. News casting broadens our horizons on national and international issues and the songs are a very important source of motivation. By the end of the programme, we were stronger and more mentally alert. The judges were more and more impressed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Among us in our team, we have the legendary family better known as the OKAFORS. They are siblings who have distinguished themselves while in the jail. Indeed, it was a feat they pulled when they became Head boy and Head girl at the same time. The race for Prefectship was very tight. As I said earlier, the competition in our set is so strong. People campaigned, and strived and ran for different posts. At the end, only 32 out of 142 of us were selected as prefects. Prefectship was a very big responsibility; there were some very stressful moments for us but also rewarding times.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Still in our set, we have those that get into higher jails like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; yes we do. Izunna did it; an achievement that earned him the respect of many inmates in our jail. We have someone among us who skips every single activity there is, is she even present? Oh, there she is. We also have someone who can run faster than Usain Bolt, there are fashion icons, the writers, even someone who owns time!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The years we have spent here have actually been stressful. Yes, stressful. From dodging Mr. Paulinus incessantly to having 101 assignments due at the same time, sometimes we felt like we would break. But we did not break. Somehow, there was always a solution. Loyola has taught us to persevere. We have come across and overcome many challenges in our set and also experienced the vagaries of school life. I mean, everyone was almost distressed when we realized we were to have our prom in school and wear skirt suit for the graduation, or how about all the times we have felt like all the odds were against our class. We have simply persevered. Entering into our final year was both exciting and challenging. With all the examinations, we felt overwhelmed sometimes but the rewards of our hard work came. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">From the beautiful SAT scores to wonderful TOEFL results, we began to realize that the seeds of our hard work were bearing fruits. We achieved excellence in Cowbell, NAFDAC, essay, arts and science competitions. Kenechukwu Nwosu, one of us, came out with the highest Jamb Score in the nation for the year 2012, one of the only three people to garner a score above 300 this year. At the Model United Nations Conference for the year 2011, for the first time in our history, one of our inmates claimed the most coveted post of Secretary General. From all these successes and many more, we became conscious of the fact that omelettes are not made without breaking eggs; there is always a test before every testimony. Through hard work, determination and risk taking, we can assure you we will always achieve excellence. Yes, not all of us will be presidents, or find the cure to HIV/AIDS, but once we strive for the best in whatever we do, our toil will never be in vain. These achievements we boast of are our “exhibit A” to prove that now, we are no longer guilty, we are innocent.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">It is no credit to the teacher whose student remains at his feet forever. Therefore, we must go forth in the world now because this is not the end, it is just the stepping stone to greatness. We must take all we have learnt here so we can go and make our difference in the world. We must graduate! </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">A wise man once said: “Praise the bridge that carried you over”. In that light, we want to thank all those who have been our “bridges”:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">First of all, I would like to thank everyone in the graduating class. Being together for six years, we formed a bond. It has not been painless and trouble-free, but we did it. Thank you. </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">The administration, who has tried her best to harness the talents evident in these young men and ladies, who has made us obey every rule to the last letter. The administration who has strengthened us through the fun and trying moments, caused us joy and happiness, also pain and tears, we say a big Thank you. </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">Thank you to our teachers who have striven to make us fantastic. Mr. Paulinus who seems to always be in our faces, we are grateful for all your discipline. Thank you. Thank you Matron for your good advice and for your support.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">All those, who have, in their big or little way, made an impact in our lives, we love and appreciate you. Our guests and well-wishers, can we forget you? Of course not! Thank you for taking out of your time to come here and celebrate with us. Our parents, our judges and jury, who sent us back every year to be moulded and fashioned by Loyola, thank you. And now we ask you: Are we ready to go? </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">To God, the Author and the finisher of our faith, He who has kept the ‘Local Jail’ in shape, the One who has given wisdom to our administration and leaders and guided us every step of the way. Thank You God. THANK YOU.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Finally, I would like all of you to all to perform a little task for me. Raise your right hand, everyone please, now when I say go, put it on the shoulder of the person to your right for three seconds. Go! 1…2…3. You can drop your hands. </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">Now, I know that you have all been “touched” in my speech.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Ese, Dalu, Mwense, Tega, Sosoghon, and of course, Nagode. Thank you and God bless!<span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">..............................................................................................................................</span><br />
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</span></div>The post I planned for today was about another LJC student, Nneoma Ike-Njoku and her fantastic project. Coming next week.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581269200973084522.post-71622649467588044992012-07-09T22:25:00.000-07:002012-07-09T22:25:04.321-07:00Naija Mode Activated....Omonoba...<br />
Our people say: <b>"God dey"</b> - prayer for the lazy or prayer for the poor or prayer for the Nigerian.<br />
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Back...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-J-l3FXAv0fdiYnzlZOMRP2b2PqOH2pjMOk6QIk4OIrNn-Jc-sFoy7DBCeuOmREN6F-EPyYq4G07M0wYhMv7dVNHFp71TEE1v9ie1Wzcvq9dW_fqJ7mzBxZlUG_TqhDHYsKNti97YmY9v/s1600/Naijeria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-J-l3FXAv0fdiYnzlZOMRP2b2PqOH2pjMOk6QIk4OIrNn-Jc-sFoy7DBCeuOmREN6F-EPyYq4G07M0wYhMv7dVNHFp71TEE1v9ie1Wzcvq9dW_fqJ7mzBxZlUG_TqhDHYsKNti97YmY9v/s640/Naijeria.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
It's a frustration-<span style="font-size: x-large;">love </span>relationship in this alley. But I love it every time.<br />
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Today, a mallam in my estate said to me: "half-bread is better than none" because I wore almost knee-length shorts to buy credit. I laughed for 7 or 8 minutes. He was laughing too.<br />
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Today, I got hissed at by the boy at the 'Indian shop' because I asked for oranges when he only bananas and watermelons. He hissed at me because <i>'I no see sey e no get orange for table?'</i><br />
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Yesterday, praise, hymns in church and other important things/people were great!<br />
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Yesterday, I accidentally said 'one hundred dollars' while buying something instead of 'one hundred naira'. Before the seller finished saying 'ehn', I corrected myself.<br />
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Saturday, my mum made breakfast of moin-moin (with fish and eggs) and yellow pap (a.k.a akamu, ogi, etc).<br />
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Saturday, the lady came to the house to braid my hair. She brought her radio and overshadowed my music with her Sonny Bobo music. Too cool.<br />
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I'm sure I belong with these people but I'm not sure whether I belong here or now. Or is it the other way around? Until I go away again, I am like a familiar stranger who always overstays her welcome.<br />
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NakedSha.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581269200973084522.post-28680729780876976892012-06-19T21:55:00.002-07:002012-06-19T22:20:27.213-07:00Re: Boko Haram - Muslim Army?...Omonoba...<br />
Our people say:<br />
<br />
<b>Yoruba: <span style="color: #990000;">O lo-o fe joba o ni o-o nii sOgboni, o-o nii pe loye.</span></b><br />
<b>English: <span style="color: #990000;">You propose to become a king but you refuse to join the Ogboni society; you will not last long on the throne</span> - Yoruba proverb.</b><br />
.........................<br />
<br />
Three things shape the propaganda that Nigeria's crises are religious:<br />
<br />
1. Power Dynamics and Media Representation.<br />
<br />
2. Left overs of colonialism.<br />
<br />
3. Ignorance.<br />
<br />
I attended a session during the Conference on World Affairs, Boulder, CO in April where after an hour and fifteen minutes of semi-fantastic illustrations of African peace initiatives by Africans in Africa for Africans in Africa, the only question-like statement that a member of the audience could utter was:<br />
<br />
"Africa's greatest curse is her diversity of tribes and religions so I think models of peace are not feasible among people who are historically different and incapable of co-existing."<br />
<br />
This is the type of commentary that stems from portrayals of African crises, especially those in Northern and Central Nigeria, as religious. Because of power dynamics, the West is able to selectively present (as news) scenarios that perpetuate the model of First World vs. Third World, Developed vs. Undeveloped, West vs. East, etc. It is through the representation of Africa as the 'other' that the West was able to validate its authenticity. That's why during colonialism, Africans were described as 'uneducated', 'uncivilized', 'irreligious' and so on; described only by how the West differed from Africa, vice versa. Long after colonialism is no longer official, the remnants still direct the course of action in many African situations. Especially in Nigeria. Neo-colonialism is arguably worse than colonialism of old because it is most effective. Power is most effective when it is unrecognized. You may recognize this kind of power in statements like 'that's just the way it is.' These kinds of statements wield power over one without a gun or a law on paper. And the media is one of such.<br />
<br />
The Boko Haram menace has been reported by mainstream media as a war between Christians and Muslims whose religions disable co-existence or tolerance. Why? Without yielding to the temptation of simplifying this complex phenomenon of power dynamics, when there is a state of unrest among Nigerian groups, they are usually along religious or tribal demarcations. It is easy to write the causes of these disputes as, therefore, religious or tribal. In some cases where they have not been drawn so neatly along such lines, new forms of separation are created. For instance, the Niger Delta crises was constantly portrayed as greedy locals against wealthy and well-meaning expats. Granted, they were drawn along those lines but the political and environmental catastrophes that led to the ultimate violence exhibited by Niger Delta 'militants' are not juicy enough for an African story. <b>Nigerian crises hardly, if ever, start out as religious ones</b>. The terrible bombings and violence in much of the North and Middle Belt are manifestations of terrorism as displayed by an EXTREMIST group (Boko Haram). Boko Haram self-identify as a Muslim sect and at best, are an extremist form of Islam. In fact, Boko Haram acts against the principles of the religion it claims obedience to. Any religion, whatsoever. How? Boko Haram literally translates to 'Western education is taboo' and acts against what they perceive to be non-Muslim cultures (in Nigeria's case, mainly Christianity, western education, non-sharia legal systems, etc.) It is important to make this distinction because in order for the West to make sense of crises, they typically portray them as religious, 'tribal' or inherent instability. Africans are neither the peaceful, puppet, gatherers we are portrayed to be (thanks, Gods Must Be Crazy) nor savage. We are humans; prone to harmonious living as well as conflicts. Muslims in Nigeria are not fighting against Christians neither are Christians fighting against Muslims. ONE extremist group is terrorizing the entire country. <br />
<br />
So, do we blame the West for our woes and forsake our agency? Absolutely not. Colonial mentality has left us worse than we realise. Credibility is granted to others telling us about our own stories, especially since they tend to be more efficient at news coverage than our home grown media outlets. Who is quicker to report local crises - CNN or NTA? Who is more efficient at corresponding in unstable areas - BBC or Channels? Who is quick to make multiple documentaries about Welcome to Lagos, This is Lagos, Lagos..this, Nigeria...that? And our own warped ideas of everything non-Nigerian (as a result of Power Dynamics) reiterate the unfortunate discourse that Nigerian-made anything including stories (in this case, news) are somehow substandard. We rely on outside sources to tell us what goes on in our backyards and what they tell us, we take in hook, line and sinker. Disputes rarely start out as religious wars but many times they evolve into just that because of propaganda. In Nigeria, where we believe we know and our faithful to our religions more than those who gave them to us, it isn't hard to utilize this propaganda.<br />
<br />
In Nigeria, where people paint their walls and change their roofs when their pastor is coming to visit, it isn't difficult to incite retaliatory attacks. Tell people that Muslims are fighting them because they want to see the eradication of Christianity, and see Christians return the favor. Nigerians are not inherently prone to dispute over peace but we know how to skim over our religions and protect them with the little we have. Boko Haram is a menace and must be regarded as such. Boko Haram is not a representation of conventional Islam neither is it a declaration of the principles of TRUE Islam. Boko Haram is about terrorism by extremist insiders who are enabled by the laxity of a weak government. It is based on extreme interpretations of the Q'uran and extreme interpretations have occurred with all religions.<br />
<br />
For the Christians and other Nigerians who are interested in fighting, the target should be Boko Haram not Islam. This needs to be clear in order for Nigeria to fix her disease not running circles with symptoms.<br />
<br />
You can read Rinsola Abiola's <a href="http://rinsola.wordpress.com/2012/06/18/boko-haram-muslim-army/"><b>post</b></a> titled <a href="http://rinsola.wordpress.com/2012/06/18/boko-haram-muslim-army/"><b>Boko Haram - Muslim Army?</b></a> <a href="http://rinsola.wordpress.com/2012/06/18/boko-haram-muslim-army/"><b>here</b></a>.<br />
<br />
NakedShaUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581269200973084522.post-5978822901887721912012-06-04T12:34:00.001-07:002012-06-04T12:35:35.488-07:00Cause of Death: A Plane Crashed into their Home...Omonoba...<br />
<br />
Our people say:<br />
<br />
______________________________!!!<br />
<br />
I can neither weep nor sleep.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/9jIhNOrVG58?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
Or say anything else.<br />
<br />
May all those who lost their lives on the plane and on the ground rest in peace. One day, we will stop praying for what we've already been given and act on it.<br />
<br />
Bauchi bomb blast victims, you're not forgotten. <br />
<br />
2005 has repeated itself. Embarrassing.<br />
<br />
Rest in peace, my darlings!<br />
<br />
NakedSha.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581269200973084522.post-6129216261667403052012-05-30T01:05:00.005-07:002012-05-30T16:30:45.060-07:00Lessons from my Teenage Years...Omonoba...<br />
<br />
<br />
Our people say:<br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><b>Yoruba</b></span>: <span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS',Code2000,Thryomanes,Helvetica; line-height: 24px;">A fi ọ́ jọba ò ńṣàwúre o fẹ́ jẹ Ọlọ́run ni?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS',Code2000,Thryomanes,Helvetica;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">English</span></b>: You have been crowned a king and yet you make good luck charms. Will you be crowned God? - <span style="color: #990000;"><b>Yoruba proverb</b></span>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS',Code2000,Thryomanes,Helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">..........................................................................................................................</span></span><br />
<br />
I just left my teenage years and I can't even believe they're gone.The only not fun thing about graduating college at 20 is that people in church think it is okay to ask my mum for aso-ebi details. Smh.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">20 Things I Learned as a Teenager:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>1. Your parents are on your side of the fence. You'll see.<br />
<br />
2. Judging people by their secondary school characters is unfair to you and to them (secondary school is a stage and many people aren't playing real life characters). It'll mess with your head to see how each person's life turns out.<br />
<br />
P.S: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrxI_euTX4A&ob=av3e">High school never (really) ends.</a><br />
<br />
3. Facebook is a place for people to make you believe how much they are enjoying their lives and how much you are missing out. Twitter is a place for people to bark louder than they can ever bite. Yahoo comments are come-backs for people who were told that they will never be clever. Good job!<br />
<br />
4. Nigerians are probably at the height of (neo) colonialism. We haven't even started climbing out of the pit. Nigerians wait for the world's approval before we appreciate our own stuff:<br />
<br />
5. Movies are wannabe books. They try so hard.<br />
<br />
6. Parents did not tell us that one day, we'd have to let go of our siblings and move away from one another. They did not tell us that we may find our individualities outside of our upbringing and become separate people.<br />
<br />
7. Surely, the art of intentionally going out to get smashed and do reckless things, puking, getting hungover and waking up just to do it all over cannot be that glamorous.<br />
<br />
8. You will love who you will love. But, it is safer to grow into this love than to fall into it. Your head and your heart are not rivals or mutually exclusive entities; let them work together.<br />
<br />
9. Parents actually do relax. Don't forget to tell your younger siblings how strictly you were brought up so that they know how easy they have it.<br />
<br />
10. Laughter brought me through.<br />
<br />
11. Switch off your phone from time to time and turn off access to the online world. If you're not alone, actually spend time with an offline being. If you're alone, talk to and make music with yourself. So that when you're actually stuck with yourself, you won't go crazy.<br />
<br />
12. If you cannot say it to the person, don't say it about the person, behind the person. Everything that should be said should be truth but not everything that is truth must be said. Remember, truth that is malicious or isn't building someone is worthless truth.<br />
<br />
13. It is a bitter truth: 20 good friends cannot play together for 20 good years. But, some of your best friends will be from your childhood.<br />
<br />
14. Don't go to only the United States and the United Kingdom on holidays. Try Gambia, the Seychelles, Panama and India. Visit Ghana, Egypt, Sri Lanka and Japan.You're a victim of incomplete, stereotypical, power-shaped representations of other countries and people too.<br />
<br />
15. Spend a good amount of time with children. They notice things that we're too foolish to notice and they remind us of what life really is about. If a child asks for a walk to the lake or a kiss on the cheek, give it to them.<br />
<br />
16. Blind people don't have better hearing or touch. That's all they have so they rely on it more that's why their senses seem sharpened. A blind friend told me this.<br />
<br />
17. Appreciate nakedness and nudity. This is art in its purest form. And it is not the same thing as pornography. Your body is a temple.<br />
<br />
18. Never write down anything you wouldn't want anyone else to see while you're dead or alive.<br />
<br />
19. Engage in discussions with people who think very differently from you. In fact, look for such conversations. These are the best conversations.<br />
<br />
20. Don't be attached to words; they're words. Ten years ago, <b>sick</b>, <b>wicked</b>, <b>ill</b>, <b>wrong</b>, <b>bad</b>, <b>nuts</b>, <b>crazy</b>, etc meant the opposites of what they mean today.<br />
<br />
I thought to put together a list version of Ryan O'Connell's 25 Things I Learned in My 20s.<br />
<br />
NakedSha.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581269200973084522.post-78661845826651958202012-04-14T19:44:00.001-07:002012-04-14T19:58:59.009-07:00"...the words of strangers..."...Omonoba...<br />
Our people say:<br />
<br />
"You see a bird with no hands but only a beak and it can build the nest that you cannot build." - Kenyan Elder.<br />
..........................................................................................................................................<br />
"I'll bear in mind the words of strangers may lead me astray from everything I knew was true." - Freshlyground - Fire is Low [ Paraphrased ]<br />
<br />
One's spirit, soul and body are all weak. Three blind mice trying to help each other. One day, One will cruise downhill...away. I hope One finds the tip of the earth and blends in with the waterfalls. One belongs nowhere. One can cope anywhere. One day, One will cruise away...downhill.<br />
<br />
But before One leaves, no one can swear that One destroyed all, or any, that they built. If they point to the sky, they cannot point to the ground. If they point to the ground, they cannot point to the sky. None can lick their fingers, no one can swear. If another curses One, it will be a causeless cause. That will not stand.<br />
<br />
Will the water never dry? The grass is green where One waters it. By the time One waters and tends and re-waters the grass, One cannot see lush, green fields. One sees the work they have done to keep the grass green. But it is better than to want to lounge on another's green grass. Uninvited.<br />
<br />
One should tell One's children: 'Children, before you listen to anyone, find out why they are qualified to teach you about life.' Then, One should go ahead to teach them about life. If they ask, 'what qualifies One to teach them about life', say: 'One carried you for nine months. This stomach, you kicked it. These breasts, you sucked them. These hands, they will slap you the next time you ask that stupid question.' One should proceed to teach them about life.<br />
<br />
It is easier to play hide and seek behind One's walls. Another should spend their entire life trying to break through. If the walls come down step by step, it is easier to re-stack the steps up as needed. If there are no walls, it takes [impossible] to build them when needed.<br />
<br />
Having walls and loving selflessly are NOT mutually exclusive.<br />
<br />
Having walls and loving foolishly are mutually exclusive.<br />
<br />
One must remember to be critical. But, One cannot always question why the night is for sleep and why the eggs are for morning.<br />
<br />
Make sure you are not taking another's best greens.<br />
<br />
One has a soul rhythm blasting, in the evenings, and softly playing, in the mornings. But there are clothes and clothes and then the glaring public and political correctness to try to burst through. Though One still dances at the red stop lights and cat-bounces through the pedestrian walk.<br />
<br />
If you find me, I failed at the things that did not plead with my heart. And the others, I told them as stories or songs. When you find the boxes, brown cheddar boxes, you will not be able to swear that they were not mine. I don't know if I lived, but I went to Victory and found God-kind and I went to the house and the kinship sang songs. If I could take one thing to heaven, I would take a song but the ones in heaven are richer and a thick chord. So, I will leave the songs and the stories for my children.<br />
<br />
When they ask me: 'where are you from?' I say, 'I am Yoruba and Bini and I come from Port Harcourt'. They say it is not short enough and I should choose one. So, I say quickly, Yoruba-Bini-Storyteller from Port Harcourt'. Still too long. So, I say, Port Harcourt's Yoruba Bini. Too much. Then, I say, PH Yoruba Bini. Then, they sigh, hiss and tell me that I cannot be all. So, I say: "Ok. but I swear, do not spread my ashes outside of Port Harcourt City."<br />
<br />
One day, I will cruise away and it will be a downhill carnival.<br />
<br />
NakedSha.<br />
I was naked before they could accuse me of not being X-enough.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581269200973084522.post-90240957518577987342012-03-31T16:28:00.000-07:002012-03-31T16:28:26.677-07:00Inside My Head {4} - The Marriage...Omonoba...<br />
<br />
1. It looks like the order of Dating/courtship -> Marriage -> Child (ren) is becoming unpopular. I see.<br />
<br />
2a. Just because outsiders (or people who think they are more of insiders than one's family) see someone as an angel does not mean they do not abuse their spouse. Your story of them being an angel is true. That's what they are to you. Their spouse's story of them being cruel is also true. That's what they are to them.<br />
<br />
2b. Living with them does not mean you know the whole story.<br />
<br />
3. Before you condemn a woman who stayed in an abusive relationship, count the snow flakes as they fall from the sky.<br />
<br />
4. If you cannot help a woman who stayed in an abusive relationship, do not condemn her.<br />
<br />
5. Long before the first punch was thrown and the first belt was whipped out, there was emotional abuse. <br />
Long after the fist can no longer form and the belt is worn, there will still be the emotional abuse.<br />
<br />
6. You have no business being with someone who does not see the good in you. Tolerance and endurance<br />
are for the wild animals. Love is for humans.<br />
<br />
7. If you die in an abusive relationship, at your funeral, the best they would say is that you WERE a good person. WERE.<br />
<br />
8. Children will either accept abuse as the norm and not recognize it as abuse and so carry it on in their lives. The same way you grew up thinking brushing teeth in the morning is the norm. OR, a child will recognize abuse as abuse and fight against it in their own marriage with all they have.<br />
<br />
9. If you are in an abusive relationship, TELL YOUR CHILDREN EVERYTHING. It is not instigation. You are saving them. You did not fall in the bathtub, your husband beat you.<br />
<br />
10. A man can be a great father. The same man can be a not-so-good husband. Your children know the difference.<br />
<br />
11. God has had to change up His plan because stubborn parties refused to comply to HIS WILL. Think Garden of Eden. You would run if someone pointed a gun at you, attacked you on the road, beat you up mercilessly, etc. But you would not if that person were your husband? God will hold your hand out of certain plans-gone-extremely-wrong.<br />
<br />
12. Marriage should be for ever but it is not an endpoint. Your marriage should not retard ANYTHING about you.<br />
<br />
13. The white dress, black suit, large cake and 3-day ceremony alone are INCAPABLE of changing your spouse or your family or your in-laws. Marry your spouse of today not what you hope they change into.<br />
<br />
14. Stay out of your brother's relationship. Yes, he SHOULD choose his wife over you, his sister, his mother and his primary school best friend. Yes, if the boat were sinking and he could save only one, he should choose his WIFE over you, his sister, his mother and his primary school best friend. It's called leaving and cleaving.<br />
<br />
15. And your sister's relationship.<br />
<br />
16. The way one is to one's siblings is a good [indication] of who they are.<br />
<br />
What do I know?<br />
<br />
NakedSha.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581269200973084522.post-83387271199389736172012-03-13T15:43:00.002-07:002012-03-13T15:56:45.079-07:00Re: Kony 2012 - NakedSha<b>...Omonoba...</b><br />
<b>Our people say:</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><b>Yoruba:</b><span style="color: #990000;"><b> Ẹ̀ẹ̀kan lejò ńyánni.</b></span></span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><b>Eng:</b> <span style="color: #990000;"><b>One gets bitten by a snake only once.</b></span></span><span style="color: #990000;"> </span> - <b>Yoruba proverb.</b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">..............................................................................................................</div><div class="MsoNormal">The media has evolved into portable forms and sizes which allow for instant world-wide participation of any and every one who has access to these platforms. One good example is Twitter. Twitter trends are the best indication of what the world is ‘buzzing’ about. In most recent times, this is the Ugandan rebel leader, Joseph Kony. The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) leader has recruited 30,000 children in the space of about 20 years who help propagate terror in an already unstable Uganda. A popular human-right NGO called Invisible Children (IC) created a 30-minute video which addresses Kony’s criminal activities and, in typical out-of-Africa fashion, hypes up the rest of the world about donating for the purpose of capturing Kony and bringing him to justice. Their mantra is something along the lines of Kony 2012: Let’s make Kony Famous. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I am disgusted by the Kony 2012 campaign and this video.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Last week Thursday at a meeting of primarily Africans and African-Americans, the issue of Kony 2012 was brought up. When I contributed an opinion against that of everyone else (except those who had no idea what was being talked about), I was accused of being a supporter of child soldiering and unsympathetic to the plight of the invisible children of Uganda. I was not too shocked at this accusation, untrue as it is, because I am used to accusations. Does anyone recognize the accusation of being Americanized or a rebel to [culture] if one disagrees with killing or a prison sentence for homosexuals in Nigeria, etc.? My disgust towards Joseph Kony's legacy and the Kony 2012 campaign are not mutually exclusive. Child soldiering is a step beyond criminal and Joseph Kony cannot be remotely justified. But many people do not understand that we will not all support the salvation-saved dynamics that Africans have lived within for too long. I won’t. The IC MAY have good intentions but good for who? The colonials had “good” intentions, so did the missionaries, the invasive multinational extractive industries and all the other saviors of savage, fetish, illiterate, uncivilized and [bringers of the white man’s burden] Africans. Good for whom? For whom, biko?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And then, the campaign reduces the menace of child soldiering to one man, Kony. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Such a simplistic strategy of <b>click play -> watch -> be moved -> donate -> share</b> will not solve the problem. It is too complicated and intricate and the imposition of outside salvation has largely not worked and cannot work. Also, it is ridiculous to think that the capturing of Kony will result in a change to child soldiering in Uganda simply because the rebel leader is captured. Kony operated (somewhat successfully) before his indictment (for which he is still at large) for over 20 years for a reason and if we know a little of our dear continent, it is not all black and white. At best, the world’s concern that has resulted from all this hype is short-lived. So, of course, since many of our governmental infrastructures are not sufficient to solve our crises, almighty U.S.A had to intervene. Why oh why would the U.S.A send 100 troops to ‘help train the Ugandan army?’ Oh, yeah, Uganda needs salvation from the West. Will the West ever leave the ‘other’ alone? Power dynamics. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">More, the video does not represent important and accurate facts such as Kony’s LRA presence in the DRC, CAR and other neighboring countries. The people of Northern Uganda are flabbergasted because they recognize their most pressing needs as war recovery not some hype about Kony. Just because some content will make a juicy, viral video does not mean ... I stop there because, anyway, Africa has always been the subject of single stories and viral, juicy media representations. To make the outsider cry and then donate or laugh and then pay-a-visit-to-the-safari-resort or dance and then tie-a-piece-of-tie-dye-cloth-and-jump-and-throw-feet-and-arms. So, Kony 2012 is not an exception to them. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Kony 2012 is more propaganda than treatment and if it is any at all, it is treatment of the symptom and not the disease. Until the systems of corruption and conflicts are disarmed, many more Konys will arise after, if at all, Kony is captured. And it will be of no surprise to me if Kony is not at all in hiding. Think Osama bin Laden and the like; the best place to hide is right under the enemy’s nose. Joseph Kony probably casually watches television at night with his kinship and gun-bearers like much of the world is doing. Or worse, he doesn’t give a SHIT!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Make Kony famous? How about make the faces behind child-soldiering famous? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">P.S: Your donation of, say, $10 will buy at least 50 oranges from the beggar in your home country with two children on her arms and one on her back. It is simplistic but it will do less harm than Kony 2012. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Find out more about the IC's budget <a href="http://reason.com/blog/2012/03/13/invisible-children-invisible-finances-ko">here</a>. It is no wonder they make powerful videos. 37 cents from your dollar donation will go to the IC’s over-simplified projects. The other 63 cents will go towards salaries, travel costs and film production for the next viral video for the next Kony, 2012 propaganda. Maybe Boko Haram, 2013. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br />
</o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p>NakedSha.</o:p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581269200973084522.post-11718736189516875292012-03-01T12:05:00.004-08:002012-03-01T14:58:05.256-08:00The National Theatre...Omonoba...<br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><b>Our people say:</b></span><br />
<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', Code2000, Thryomanes, Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #660000;">Yoruba:</span> Agada ò morí alágbẹ̀dẹ.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', Code2000, Thryomanes, Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', Code2000, Thryomanes, Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #660000;">Eng:</span> The sword cannot tell the smith's head from others. <span style="color: #660000;">- Yoruba Proverb.</span></span></b><br />
...........................................................................................................................................................<br />
<br />
I'm so busy, I apologize for my absence.<br />
A friend correctly called me scissor-hungry. I've chopped off my hair five times in three years (to my father's disdain). Anyway, I'm repenting.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">The National Theatre.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcjd2OxHxJigxwKuN2zW3ohlLfUNaAzVhyF1cF5nR2QLpuvWh76T6y3pjX6d_kfBd0qOR9bVhUslhk4sqPyH3UTogjvdJQfg35o5B2xGA_SHi0850E88JzlZJRbqbNDMiSPY_bCETJQIb/s1600/Collage+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcjd2OxHxJigxwKuN2zW3ohlLfUNaAzVhyF1cF5nR2QLpuvWh76T6y3pjX6d_kfBd0qOR9bVhUslhk4sqPyH3UTogjvdJQfg35o5B2xGA_SHi0850E88JzlZJRbqbNDMiSPY_bCETJQIb/s640/Collage+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSOjEU3pYGz2UkTnEXNrdu4rySgrXZR7zSQgb_RYbQhemRiVvsQ1SLilX4yga4nCPIFEYwnlmXmyVoJiywNU3aXHdls1qRbanidrP0WDiCEg0_Knqj7qxbHF28UZA2uwttClwdtUUavO7z/s1600/DSC04667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSOjEU3pYGz2UkTnEXNrdu4rySgrXZR7zSQgb_RYbQhemRiVvsQ1SLilX4yga4nCPIFEYwnlmXmyVoJiywNU3aXHdls1qRbanidrP0WDiCEg0_Knqj7qxbHF28UZA2uwttClwdtUUavO7z/s640/DSC04667.JPG" width="288" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">7 Months Ago:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAChnuxENy0iWTV45oX-LIhUo6RbOtXi2kM_vlsrh4rf53Ye6LlmuoSnaWJGed_fulmomb7BYwdimq0ynBawwY7k7jMiV2PA9q5lvqCG69X0Tl87hqGH859-Po8ISX8NI1etoOYAC2_fCY/s1600/'Funmi+and+Chimamanda+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAChnuxENy0iWTV45oX-LIhUo6RbOtXi2kM_vlsrh4rf53Ye6LlmuoSnaWJGed_fulmomb7BYwdimq0ynBawwY7k7jMiV2PA9q5lvqCG69X0Tl87hqGH859-Po8ISX8NI1etoOYAC2_fCY/s400/'Funmi+and+Chimamanda+-+Copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Stay Naked!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">NakedSha.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581269200973084522.post-43863358876533601252012-01-20T13:02:00.000-08:002012-01-20T13:09:02.197-08:00Disrespectful Nigerians<b>...Omonoba...</b><br />
<b>Our people say:</b><br />
<b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Our people are occupying.</span></b><br />
<br />
Respectfulness redefined!<br />
<br />
The officers thought this was disrespectful? I'm getting them.<br />
<br />
#OccupyNigeria.<br />
<br />
Men and women, with titles, too big to stand up to the National Anthem. Am I surprised?<br />
<br />
What did you think - Nigerians in the Diaspora are numb to all these things?<br />
<br />
Some of us have only one passport and it happens to be green.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://3.gvt0.com/vi/yoXye_BxN98/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yoXye_BxN98&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yoXye_BxN98&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><br />
Nigerians have been singing that 'We No Go Gree' song for years. Finally, we no gree. One of them said to Sowore 'I am disappointed in you'. If a <b>typical</b> Nigerian politician in this bland regime is disappointed in you, you deserve a pat on the back. You must be doing something other than wrong.<br />
<br />
Occupy their Townhall meeting <townhall meetings="">(in New York city) until Asorock is occupied. </townhall><br />
....................<br />
<br />
Also see <a href="http://naijalines.blogspot.com/2012/01/occupy-nigeria-young-ladys-message.html">Naijalines.</a><br />
<br />
NakedSha.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581269200973084522.post-23210172627787891462012-01-13T11:22:00.000-08:002012-01-13T11:49:31.897-08:00Allah is Not Obliged......Omonoba...<br />
Our people say:<br />
<span style="background-color: #a64d79;"><b>Yoruba: <span style="color: #990000;">Oore t<span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', Code2000, Thryomanes, Helvetica; line-height: 24px;">í a </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', Code2000, Thryomanes, Helvetica; line-height: 24px;">ṣe f</span><span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', Code2000, Thryomanes, Helvetica; line-height: 24px;">ád</span><span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', Code2000, Thryomanes, Helvetica; line-height: 24px;">ì</span><span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', Code2000, Thryomanes, Helvetica; line-height: 24px;">ẹ </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', Code2000, Thryomanes, Helvetica; line-height: 24px;">ò gb</span><span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', Code2000, Thryomanes, Helvetica; line-height: 24px;">é; b</span><span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', Code2000, Thryomanes, Helvetica; line-height: 24px;">ó p</span><span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', Code2000, Thryomanes, Helvetica; line-height: 24px;">ẹ́ t</span><span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', Code2000, Thryomanes, Helvetica; line-height: 24px;">ít</span><span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', Code2000, Thryomanes, Helvetica; line-height: 24px;">í a </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', Code2000, Thryomanes, Helvetica; line-height: 24px;">ṣomi tooro s</span><span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', Code2000, Thryomanes, Helvetica; line-height: 24px;">íni l</span><span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', Code2000, Thryomanes, Helvetica; line-height: 24px;">ẹ́nu.</span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', Code2000, Thryomanes, Helvetica; line-height: 24px;"><span style="background-color: #a64d79;"><b>Eng: <span style="color: #990000;">The favor one does a chicken is not for nought; in due course it will make stew to delight one's mouth</span>. - Yoruba Proverb.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', Code2000, Thryomanes, Helvetica; line-height: 24px;"><span style="background-color: #a64d79;"><b>........................................................................................</b></span></span><br />
<br />
This is how this books starts. When I bought it at Farafina, Lagos, I started reading in once I got home. As soon as I read the first line, I thought, <i>Oh no! Let's put this aside and have it as dessert</i>. Great decision because after very tough and more in-depth books, the lightness of this story (even despite the war and wild-west context) was soothing. Birahima is hilarious. Such a good book. If Ahmadou Kourouma were alive, I would love to listen to stories at his feet.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxeIFA87OgVanGsfuxVrUwaG8SY1kM1ntYvHIS-cFAZT-lGEvVJMxWDOtuC3Tr8kE1okdmd4T8cmJSUjI08OJ7u3vB07qYB8B_5_1W9Hi3o6KGDV_uydxznmnMvGBuieHL1YomlGTNpc-W/s1600/Allah+is...1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxeIFA87OgVanGsfuxVrUwaG8SY1kM1ntYvHIS-cFAZT-lGEvVJMxWDOtuC3Tr8kE1okdmd4T8cmJSUjI08OJ7u3vB07qYB8B_5_1W9Hi3o6KGDV_uydxznmnMvGBuieHL1YomlGTNpc-W/s400/Allah+is...1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Page 1.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Birahima uses his dictionaries (which were gifted to him) to dig out big words and then explains to the reader what the words mean as if he grew up understanding these words. What's funny is half the time, he abandons the actual definition and just explains it the way he knows best.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzoGk6eKh1UoI-OSD82AKDJm-j99asOFkkRc692AMlmeshK8tcqxKaGqRosSyvl-9huzpjZlK2Le3I5iUxU7xXvabRX4QRKfWMhMfXEDkkQwyDkl2t_lLPcJvLBBBiNZXHeR8RqwK0ubSF/s1600/Allah+is...2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzoGk6eKh1UoI-OSD82AKDJm-j99asOFkkRc692AMlmeshK8tcqxKaGqRosSyvl-9huzpjZlK2Le3I5iUxU7xXvabRX4QRKfWMhMfXEDkkQwyDkl2t_lLPcJvLBBBiNZXHeR8RqwK0ubSF/s400/Allah+is...2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Page 126</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Haha, Birahima sha. I'll stay with this character for a long time just like I did with Uwem Akpan's characters.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPPGSxbp5HRBMpOMBeYbkan_WDC-0szLWUeo37E33koNED5IWsb8WZe-jNFLnaBkDJZFuhdvUC9jpEztdi0L47iipAy6adEgWft4_fdaUJQJxHqQQ2XCJoeK-VY9qzDWrJf_SiUMaFG-g/s1600/Allah+is...3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPPGSxbp5HRBMpOMBeYbkan_WDC-0szLWUeo37E33koNED5IWsb8WZe-jNFLnaBkDJZFuhdvUC9jpEztdi0L47iipAy6adEgWft4_fdaUJQJxHqQQ2XCJoeK-VY9qzDWrJf_SiUMaFG-g/s400/Allah+is...3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Page 163</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The book is saturated with innocent comments like the ones below. Well, innocence or sarcasm depending on how you see the world. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMf_eVi3iEIU0T-kNtmi3w79cP4TeD9H_k2y8CIQvLQp3_wuZIaqFh_2NU4-BW5hVXNJ-PTmzxJ8sFa9WiH7AirtvK0W4hDEyfUh0xo5o4_HKVVVrfTZ5fS_Lxz42teuHFk_nXiBEoRh4/s1600/Allah+is...4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMf_eVi3iEIU0T-kNtmi3w79cP4TeD9H_k2y8CIQvLQp3_wuZIaqFh_2NU4-BW5hVXNJ-PTmzxJ8sFa9WiH7AirtvK0W4hDEyfUh0xo5o4_HKVVVrfTZ5fS_Lxz42teuHFk_nXiBEoRh4/s400/Allah+is...4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Page 176</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xOJt7Xs-6HCs4oO1hyE2nJiW5mO9bmGDxiyGYHwUgIVB_p5GNaGs1An3_Jfhjwcd13a-t1WwX9aLuASvmdY-T6453MizKgYtpTzjBzHyv_OO4TjRTaugN8dkvM_xABVktaqoqVU1Sfcc/s1600/Allah+is..5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xOJt7Xs-6HCs4oO1hyE2nJiW5mO9bmGDxiyGYHwUgIVB_p5GNaGs1An3_Jfhjwcd13a-t1WwX9aLuASvmdY-T6453MizKgYtpTzjBzHyv_OO4TjRTaugN8dkvM_xABVktaqoqVU1Sfcc/s400/Allah+is..5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Page 203</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Birahima is a child-soldier. So, his storytelling is very much like that of a child but his environment shows up in the words he uses A LOT. <i>Faforo, walahe, gnamokode, nigger, fuck, shit, bitch</i>, etc.<br />
<br />
Biko, because of literature, read this book!<br />
<br />
NakedSha.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581269200973084522.post-24168869217688423632012-01-12T10:26:00.000-08:002012-01-12T10:29:53.963-08:00My People, Ebezina!...Omonoba...<br />
Our people say:<br />
#OccupyYourCountry.<br />
<br />
Also see <a href="http://naijalines.blogspot.com/">Naijalines</a>' posts <a href="http://naijalines.blogspot.com/2012/01/gej-subsidy-must-end-nigerian-bloggers.html">here</a> and <a href="http://naijalines.blogspot.com/2012/01/occupy-nigeria-nigerian-bloggers.html">here</a><br />
<br />
At this point, Nigerians have taken the country into their hands. Jungle justice at its most redefined. 20 years ago, only 'radical' Nigerians would go out to protest the issues we face. Today, Nigerians (period) are hitting the streets.<br />
<br />
In two words:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOBfOCU_zjD62_n83aEvUxLqF-vMhsJf3pOXX-qvlIEnqH7Cz23vmKQAp4pZNuoFsFKVnJIaEzz8G7nk-YFWWj_Vui0ZMfm4Dm-cO5UfewgKKpc9FeIwU-v9mFh3ukRoeYBINQ8rOgcmSn/s1600/Occupy+Nigeria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOBfOCU_zjD62_n83aEvUxLqF-vMhsJf3pOXX-qvlIEnqH7Cz23vmKQAp4pZNuoFsFKVnJIaEzz8G7nk-YFWWj_Vui0ZMfm4Dm-cO5UfewgKKpc9FeIwU-v9mFh3ukRoeYBINQ8rOgcmSn/s640/Occupy+Nigeria.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
It is unfortunate - the killings that have occurred. At worst, the government will not listen, the strike will continue and it will be a long, chaotic road to get the government to listen. At best, they will listen immediately. Pride is what I feel for all the Nigerian youths out there. Some of us have only this one country.<br />
<br />
Please listen:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/gJ-OyXnjE5s?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
My heart and my mind is with us.<br />
<br />
NakedSha.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581269200973084522.post-74031016656157189992012-01-03T19:48:00.000-08:002012-01-03T20:57:55.658-08:00I am a Happy Soul Child :D...Omonoba...<br />
Our People Say:<br />
<b><span style="background-color: white;">Yoruba: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', Code2000, Thryomanes, Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Kí ní ḿbẹ nínú isà tí yó ba òkú lẹ́rù?</span></b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', Code2000, Thryomanes, Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><b>English: What is there in the grave to frighten a corpse? - Yoruba proverb.</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', Code2000, Thryomanes, Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><b>...............................................................................</b></span><br />
I am not a great book critic; if only Osondu Awaraka would plow the dust off his blog. Anyway, here are the books I read in 2011 in no particular order:<br />
<br />
1. Allah is Not Obliged - Ahmadou Kourouma<br />
2. Purple Hibiscus - Chimamanda Adichie (for the eighth or ninth or tenth time)<br />
3. Open City - Teju Cole<br />
4. Icarus Girl - Helen Oyeyemi<br />
5. A Love Rekindled - Myne Whitman<br />
6. Voice of America - E.C Osondu<br />
7. Wizard of the Crow - Ngugi wa Thiong'o<br />
8. Sophie's Heart - Lori Wick<br />
9. The Princess - Lori Wick<br />
10. And the Shofar Blew - Francine Rivers (for the third or fourth time)<br />
<br />
I hope I have not left anything out. I also didn't think you would care about the academic novels and books so I have taken them off the list but they are all listed <a href="http://burntbottompot.blogspot.com/p/my-book-catalogue.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
I had an eventful year. It was extremely busy and had its fair share of doooooowns but I Loved it, loved it.<br />
I went home to the Kins (also known as the Kins-lings, the Clan the Lovers or the Family), taught Vacation Bible School at the church [Ikoyi Baptist Church] in Lagos, learned a gazillion new things about the same Nigerians that I grew up with and that I see every year.<br />
<br />
In July, my sister from another mama, my mum and I were stuck for more than four hours at Port Harcourt airport (thank you. Aero). So, from around 10pm till midnight, we sang and sang and sang for the travelers in our own little corner of the airport. It was a lot of fun. All we were missing were a producer and a mic. Anyone know this song, 'God of Elijah, send down fire?' We turned it into 'God of Elijah, send our plane.' We sang so many songs, the travelers were so impressed. Good times.<br />
<br />
My internship, my awards and grades at school, <a href="http://burntbottompot.blogspot.com/2011/08/my-face-on-cover-page-of-knowing-words.html">this book cover</a>, the people I met when I went back to Nigeria- Tolu Akanni (who is one hilarious soul), the fun times to / from work in Lagos with<a href="http://www.bellanaija.com/2011/07/11/bn-prose-summer-days-cloudy-skies-by-aderonke-williams-adeosun/"> Eknoreda</a> (<a href="http://www.bellanaija.com/2011/11/02/bn-prose-burden-of-belief-by-aderonke-william-adeosun/">here</a> also), <a href="http://burntbottompot.blogspot.com/2011_08_01_archive.html">this Kachifo event</a> and this <a href="http://burntbottompot.blogspot.com/2011/08/what-nigeria-does-for-my-heart.html">E.C Osondu book reading</a>, the great Lagos flood, my two trips to my darling Port Harcourt city, everything. This year was a roller coaster of fun and trials.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mynewhitmanwrites.com/">Myne Whitman</a>, your contribution to the literary scene is much talked about and has definitely made an impact. Keep doing your thing. You are doing a great job. Kudos and God bless.<br />
<br />
My year in one sentence:<br />
<br />
1. [When I remember what the Lord has done, I will never go back anymore.]<br />
<br />
My year in one song:<br />
<br />
1. [...we can debate till the end of time who is wrong and who is right. Or I can honor your choices and you can honor mine... - Gift of Acceptance by India Arie and Idan Raichel.]<br />
<br />
My year in one pic:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHQpyhPqeEFQP8QyY5Wb6xHs4GTMXw0JhQEZ0zlDKK8ASBUhX3mfGsSyn-0MAHwcOlgVY0vkY294XDZC1ar0n-TfcKwRLCV3hXbA7oMu3mqqGoxrGDB6KYGyux0KHHEfStazblFvyRb98/s1600/DSC03587+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHQpyhPqeEFQP8QyY5Wb6xHs4GTMXw0JhQEZ0zlDKK8ASBUhX3mfGsSyn-0MAHwcOlgVY0vkY294XDZC1ar0n-TfcKwRLCV3hXbA7oMu3mqqGoxrGDB6KYGyux0KHHEfStazblFvyRb98/s640/DSC03587+-+Copy.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">{The journey from church to car during the great flood.}</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">LAUGHTER!</div>One more thing:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://chizzyd.blogspot.com/">ChizzyD</a> came up to Boulder and she becomes un-anonymous here. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPP3tQpp6vA">Yop, yop, yop, yop, yop.</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AfGbwBZx9nYIKipAKC4hKiJhxSjZopw_KLZjp4JKKLtkpN0SX7SRSpKE5lwtT8jgy2m7br4Ou9Hgn5FqyySGTjJZcbTowzv63ASH5GonUgGH_uNNxqnuME0fILcRx00a_QsL4DCNUj6o/s1600/DSC04349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AfGbwBZx9nYIKipAKC4hKiJhxSjZopw_KLZjp4JKKLtkpN0SX7SRSpKE5lwtT8jgy2m7br4Ou9Hgn5FqyySGTjJZcbTowzv63ASH5GonUgGH_uNNxqnuME0fILcRx00a_QsL4DCNUj6o/s640/DSC04349.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was great to have her here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>God bless you, dear 2012. I hope Nigeria does not break out in war. If we do not, and if all the cries of the citizens eventually lands on listening ears, then it is either God is partial to or extremely merciful towards Nigerians. There is little reason why he still listens to us scream and wail when in fact he may have answered us a while ago.<br />
<br />
NakedOne.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581269200973084522.post-45392959364487009772011-12-09T10:10:00.000-08:002011-12-09T10:26:57.744-08:00December 10 - Another One<div style="text-align: center;">Last Year's Post: <a href="http://burntbottompot.blogspot.com/2010/12/i-can-make-it-through-one-more-time.html">The Tenth of December - The Fifth One.</a></div><br />
For my lost lovers:<br />
<br />
Chinonye Egbosimba,<br />
Mayowa Oyebode<br />
Sandra Gbemudu,<br />
Stephanie Nwoko,<br />
<br />
and all those who perished in Sosoliso, 10.12.2005.<br />
<br />
To the world, you're the epitome of how a country can shatter its own future. How all the careless and non challant leaders were exposed one day. To the world, you're propaganda for a failed aviation system and needless deaths.<br />
<br />
But the news does not remember the clothes you wore or how we smiled or how we did homework together in Grove and Montessori and Bereton and Bloombreed. We still remember everything and it sucks that we're bigger but you're still small in our memories. And how we would wait for term breaks to catch up on school stories.<br />
<br />
The world calls you The 60 Angels but how can I call you an angel. I knew you in flesh. I guess you are with angels.<br />
<br />
It is getting easier to deal with the memories and talk about them.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Damn you country so good at killing</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Damn you (hurt) feelings for persevering.</div><div style="text-align: center;">-<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Knaan</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>But not much has changed.<br />
<br />
Damn the soil that swallowed our pride.<br />
<br />
Damn the prize that we paid for their lies.<br />
<br />
Damn the fire, the liar, the fire.<br />
<br />
Damn their stories, their trials, their promises.<br />
<br />
Damn that Rivers State did not have water.<br />
<br />
Damn you burned bridges, damn you stolen future, damn you incomplete stories.<br />
<br />
And BLESS you heaven for accepting them.<br />
<br />
We're fine, we've made it through 6 times, it'll get better.<br />
<br />
But it'll never be easy to erase you.<br />
<br />
NakedOne.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581269200973084522.post-57243235014342269922011-12-02T06:00:00.000-08:002011-12-03T15:44:31.299-08:00Charcoal Art in 2011...Omonoba...<br />
<b>Our people say:</b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Eng:</span></b> <b>The one with many uncles slept hungry</b> - <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Kenyan Proverb.</span></b><br />
..................................................................................................................................................<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMkeJMCAa-1ifp4eXNehm18pRxBtF_FkhK20PNcjzmMnKSP32gvSiwbUceWtYMTr1qNTmeHpkA6yrF5qkVp1Iu2n6gwvRtPXjjr-smZWE9_xYN_KytHoBd2SjJ6NOx1537QF2cDUkPmDt/s1600/Laolu+Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMkeJMCAa-1ifp4eXNehm18pRxBtF_FkhK20PNcjzmMnKSP32gvSiwbUceWtYMTr1qNTmeHpkA6yrF5qkVp1Iu2n6gwvRtPXjjr-smZWE9_xYN_KytHoBd2SjJ6NOx1537QF2cDUkPmDt/s400/Laolu+Logo.jpg" width="330" /></a></div><br />
I was sent information about an artist in Abuja called <a href="http://www.laolusenbanjo.com/">Laolu Senbanjo</a>. He does his pieces mainly in charcoal and incorporates all sorts of (particularly Yoruba) mythology, ancient art forms and shapes. Bankole Oluwole of <b><a href="http://afrosays.wordpress.com/">Afrosays</a> </b>is organizing a pro-bono promotion for Laolu's work, which is great since Laolu's work is rather under acknowledged.<br />
<br />
I am fascinated by Laolu's art.<br />
<br />
I'll allow his work speak for itself because I cannot do it enough justice. Here are a few of his pieces:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-px2Wo-D0Vpv05iq44UBcor97vjeLL_-sXgWX6S9T7WOl91spwDMFfaRgmqot-fXMO0XfGCZThTXZGEPTJNCS74NMoXhGyU4H9wjEbI2Fon8yncO95UdVMjXQzt-6VJonRDBzCv14cr-7/s1600/Laolu+0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-px2Wo-D0Vpv05iq44UBcor97vjeLL_-sXgWX6S9T7WOl91spwDMFfaRgmqot-fXMO0XfGCZThTXZGEPTJNCS74NMoXhGyU4H9wjEbI2Fon8yncO95UdVMjXQzt-6VJonRDBzCv14cr-7/s640/Laolu+0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqP-HLzEoa6My3-dmIFD3hlAKFaJOCgkspBZxgEVB59eP-RxrJHk7qAOUMGcOk2PmhkBu7Wk0t1eySTVzzAAs9Rv9k4s9p2-ORcSLIr-p9_1VF7uCmYC0z39q_ULIScvCk9CvwDvCk4Hac/s1600/Laolu+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqP-HLzEoa6My3-dmIFD3hlAKFaJOCgkspBZxgEVB59eP-RxrJHk7qAOUMGcOk2PmhkBu7Wk0t1eySTVzzAAs9Rv9k4s9p2-ORcSLIr-p9_1VF7uCmYC0z39q_ULIScvCk9CvwDvCk4Hac/s640/Laolu+2.jpg" width="464" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXY_XGNxNKJt6m0D0oquY0Qg4LmR0QMoviDT3njkMzWrA5KB7Y-hp0mRhnZTb-2VKV1IGVqEkN7zD0WyZlFCWoi6_Zj3UPEYT3-PvNIO6bW77ZUDbLi6s82aWvazpQTWNff95AL-IWZfV/s1600/Laolu+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXY_XGNxNKJt6m0D0oquY0Qg4LmR0QMoviDT3njkMzWrA5KB7Y-hp0mRhnZTb-2VKV1IGVqEkN7zD0WyZlFCWoi6_Zj3UPEYT3-PvNIO6bW77ZUDbLi6s82aWvazpQTWNff95AL-IWZfV/s640/Laolu+3.jpg" width="451" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHdP74K1UzXYNKaY0KZURycb6h92hA3fxBjx2apyhDkFxW6zIl3k8zr73sS6crk4lhp9R5XCeBMwAcnfCULHb37KSdO_cUXwcbqzFa1Ji38cKGJZHkUmLxwpkyWNHbU9aBsI7CDokHmw_/s1600/Laolu+hmm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHdP74K1UzXYNKaY0KZURycb6h92hA3fxBjx2apyhDkFxW6zIl3k8zr73sS6crk4lhp9R5XCeBMwAcnfCULHb37KSdO_cUXwcbqzFa1Ji38cKGJZHkUmLxwpkyWNHbU9aBsI7CDokHmw_/s640/Laolu+hmm.jpg" width="451" /></a></div><br />
Find out more about him and his work at his website <a href="http://www.laolusenbanjo.com/">http://www.laolusenbanjo.com/</a><br />
<br />
His gallery is located at:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>17 Aba Close, off Lokoja Street</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Area 8, Garki,</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Abuja, FCT.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Nigeria.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>(+234 8060500501)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div>All pieces are copyrighted to Laolu Senbanjo.<br />
<br />
Bless,<br />
NakedSha.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8581269200973084522.post-2509752881747771902011-11-20T17:48:00.000-08:002011-11-20T18:15:40.489-08:00Albino Character: You Still Defend The Man...Omonoba...<br />
Our people say:<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', sans-serif;"><b>The lazy person replies, 'yes', to all propositions - Yoruba proverb.</b></span><br />
<b style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', Code2000, Thryomanes, Helvetica; line-height: 24px;">...........................................................................................................................</b><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>I will not attend the funeral of a savage.</b></span><br />
<b style="color: #274e13;">Do not speak of him as such.</b><br />
<b style="color: purple;">The dead man?</b><br />
<b style="color: #274e13;">Do not speak of my dead husband as such.</b><br />
<b style="color: purple;">You still defend the man. The depth of 'Seyi's wisdom was as oil used to fry dodo. </b><br />
<b style="color: #274e13;">Call your father Papa not 'Seyi. </b><br />
<b style="color: purple;">While 'Seyi was sick, I heard his heart, blurry but distinct enough, asking for one more day to pour blessings on the sheep in his pasture. This Sunday, the pews will be filled with thirsty deer, panting for water. Their well has run dry and the digger taught no one else how to feed sheep. Sheep - waiting for the stick to point North. Then, going North. Sheep - waiting for the road to lead to water. Then, realizing thirst. Sheep wander away when the shepherd is lost in sight. I hope these ones spread away like birds in the winter. His death was no punishment - relief for his bitter heart - but he fought the fate that came to pluck him out of his sickly misery. For once, this man lost a fight but he carried pride with him until death. His eyes were open enough to see me but blind enough not to know who I was. He thought I was you. He spoke with strength unusual for a dying man. Why do you forgive this man? Or, do you tell me less than there is to know? Until his final breath, he cursed you and...</b><br />
<b style="color: #274e13;">My husband will never curse me.</b><br />
<b style="color: purple;">...and your 'bastard' daughter, me.</b><br />
<b style="color: #274e13;">My husband will never curse you.</b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">The congregation will not believe my tale, would they? They believe almighty 'Seyi always blessed and never cursed. Imagine the gasp, the horror, when I tell them that he asked you to kill your baby. He asked you to dissolve me all because my skin is pale like taffeta and my nose is red. He never acknowledged that I was his child.</span></b><br />
<b style="color: #274e13;">You are my child, Motun. You are our child.</b><br />
<b style="color: purple;">Yes I know. I have the gait of a limping chicken, just like him. My smile mirrors yours. I know I am your child. What I don't know is why he never looked me in the eyes and why he called me 'the fair share of curse every sinner deserved'.</b><br />
<b style="color: #274e13;">Who told you these things, Motun?</b><br />
<b style="color: purple;">Ma, the wall between my room and yours is thin.</b><br />
<b style="color: #274e13;">He didn't mean to say them. He never understood why you were lighter than the rest of us.</b><br />
<b style="color: purple;">Albinism is not curse, ma. It is what it is.</b><br />
<b style="color: #274e13;">I know.</b><br />
<b style="color: purple;">Do you really? I never heard you say so. He thought he was talking to you on his dying bed when he said that you were stubborn to not confess your affair with a strange man. He was so sure, ma, he called upon God and said that I was a mockery of your secrecy. So the world could share your shame. I'll tell them all one day that their shepherd was a killer of sheep.</b><br />
<b style="color: #274e13;">They won't believe you, there's no need for that. He led a whole congregation, allow his memory be of peace.</b><br />
<b style="color: purple;">Do you curse me too, silently? </b><br />
<b style="color: #274e13;">I will never curse you.</b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Perhaps in</span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"> a language I do not understand like the tongues they speak in the congregation?</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">I will never curse you.</span></b><br />
<b style="color: purple;">But am I a bastard?</b><br />
<b style="color: #274e13;">No, Papa is your father. He was a father to you and the entire congregation.</b><br />
<b style="color: purple;">His final words were simple but I do not know what they mean?</b><br />
<b style="color: #274e13;">I'm sure he loved us. He just did not understand.</b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">For someone who led a whole flock, he knew very little. He spoke of three others. He said that he would pray for you when he reached Home. I was surprised that he would even care to pray - the man suffered, ma. He did painfully. He said that if I had been 'quenched', it would have fulfilled the last piece of sacrifice. I do not know what sacrifice he spoke of. He said I was tough unlike the others and refusing to remove me was unreasonable because the stubbornness came the fourth time around. He said that he would pray that the souls of the other three children rested with him. </span></b><br />
<b style="color: #274e13;">He was dying. It is normal for his words to be meaningless. </b><br />
<b style="color: purple;">There were three others before me?</b><br />
<b style="color: #274e13;">*Silence*</b><br />
<b>.................................................................................................................................</b><br />
<b>NakedOne!</b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12