A REPORT ON THE TWO-DAY TOWNHALL FOR DIASPORA NIGERIANS ON TWITTER SPACE

First Day

The townhall for diaspora Nigerians held on Twitter Space was held on the 10th and 11th of February 2023. On the first day, “Political Participation and the Nigeria Diaspora” was the subject of discussion. It took the form of an intensive panel session moderated by Olugbemi Jesunbo. Participants exchanged ideas and strategies addressing how Nigerians would be able to influence change from anywhere, especially the diaspora. These conversations factored in the current reality of Nigeria and made recommendations about the future. The panellists shared their frustrations on their inability to actively participate in elections notwithstanding their major contribution to Nigeria’s economy. While they agreed that Nigeria was not able to conduct elections overseas yet, the argument that Diaspora Nigerians were not affected by the results of elections was rejected. Many of them pointed out that they had family members in Nigeria whom the outcome of the elections, directly affect. The possibility of electronic voting as an alternative to physical voting was well-favoured among the panelists and the role of Diaspora Organizations was also objectively evaluated. At the end of the first day, listeners were effectively educated on the roles that diaspora Nigerians can play in the politics of their home country. This included political awareness, funding of campaigns and the effective use of social media. We had Dolapo Makinde and John Oluwadero as the panellists who were present in the townhall. Dr Olumuyiwa Igbalajobi also actively contributed to the discussion.

Second Day

On the second day of the townhall, the topic “Japa Culture: A Blessing or a Curse” was actively engaged by the keynote speakers: Dr. Olumuyiwa Igbalajobi and Onifade Temi . On an invisible scale, a balance was sought between the possible advantages and disadvantages of a hurried departure from a person’s home country to the abroad. This is what the term “japa” implies, a hurried escape from one’s country without a thought for returning. It was agreed that japa could mean an opportunity for individuals to improve the quality of their life and be better positioned to help others. It could also mean an opportunity to serve the needs of one’s home country better, after obtaining quality education and exposure overseas. On the flip side, it could mean brain drain resulting in the loss of professionals and experts, who could have contributed actively to the country’s growth and development. At the end of the meeting, the answer to the question of whether japa culture was a blessing or a curse was left for subjective interpretations.

Attendance

On both days, we had a combined listener count of 300 participants.  The participants engaged actively with the themes of the townhall showing that they resonated with the topics of the day. Participants were drawn from different countries including Israel, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and others.

Conclusion

It is the right conclusion that Nigerians are eager to develop their country. The feverish anticipation and participation in this event showed that the birth of a new nation is around the corner. And PFF will help to birth this new nation.

Olugbemi Jesunbo is a PFF Volunteer and writes from Ileife.

OWN YOUR FAILURES

 

We don’t get to talk so much about our failures, do we?

I mean, who wants to read about how you failed and did something that wasn’t winning?

Who cares about how your business idea was a huge fail or how you had to sit for an external examination seven times in a row or how you got heartbroken or how you applied for a job and got rejected or how you auditioned for a role and didn’t get selected?

Our world is so into success stories to the extent that we’ve neglected failures and progress stories (that are not entirely about how you excelled all the time) as one of those things that count.

But speaking of failures, here’s a failure episode from my life you might want to read.

A tale of how I got an unforgettable but not-so-pleasant memory.

Of how I stood.

Mic in hand.

A myriad of bulging human eyes fixed on me.

The hall, placid and tranquil.

My being, tensed.

And all I had rehearsed for my presentation, forgotten.

Obviously, I felt so embarrassed.

Got home and couldn’t stop thinking about what all had happened and wishing I could take back the hands of time and do things a bit differently. But we just can’t do that, can we?

But here lies the crux of this tale:

Do not let the plethora of success stories you see online push you into thinking that if you don’t get it right and perfectly then your story doesn’t need to be heard.

It broke my heart when a friend of mine who writes so well told me he was waiting till he got really good at writing before he would begin putting out his works for the world to see. No doubt, this is the fate of so many other people out there.

Of you reading this, maybe.

You have a business idea and you’re waiting till you are convinced of zero risks.

You have a craft you’re good at and you’re waiting till you can deliver flawlessly before you start showing up.

Come on, now.

Salem King would say: “Journey over Destination”.

It doesn’t matter when you get to where you’re going to, it is the progressive little steps you take that matters even more.

Imagine trying to cut down a tree with an axe.

Let’s say it takes 7 hits to cut down that tree. For the first six attempts you would look stupid and it would feel as though you’re wasting your time. But with the seventh hit, the tree comes falling down and it all makes sense.

Be aware that it is not the seventh hit that made the difference, but instead it is the six consistent hits before that.

So, dear young person,

As much as success stories are an interesting read, we want to watch you grow into that star we know you are.
Own your failures. Own your progress story. Own your six hits.

It may not look like you’re getting anywhere with it now. It may not be making much sense. But when that seventh hit comes, you’d be glad you persisted.

Just as Winston Churchill said, “success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.”

Remember, someone’s counting on you.

I’m counting on you.

We all are.

 

Igbo Identity and the Importance of Language as a Major Identification Key.

 

I was 4 years old when I first spoke Igbo publicly on a plane coming from London to Nigeria. The surprised looks on people’s faces when I start speaking Igbo is one that always brings a smile to my face, people being shocked that I’ve moved from Nigeria to the UK and have been able to learn English and also maintain my understanding and speaking of the Igbo language.

Igbo or Ásụ̀sụ̀ Ìgbò is the principal native language of the Igbo people. It is recognized as one of the three major languages in Nigeria. Igbo has over 20 dialects which is not only centred in Nigeria but with Igbo speaking communities in countries such as Brazil, Jamaica, Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago just to name a few.

Language is said to be a means of communication between individuals who share a common code, this being in the form of symbols; in the case of spoken Igbo, it is an oral code. The most essential asset is the mother tongue it is as Onuigbo puts it ” a unique human gift from God to man” and therefore a fundamental identification key in environments in which apply pressure to forget who you are and conform to their language standards. This exact fact brings back memories of school in which teachers encouraged my mum to only speak English to me because they were “scared” that I would confuse the two and subsequently be under-developed in my English-speaking skills.

I feel that if I had ended up not being able to understand Igbo at least, right now as an Igbo living in Diaspora I would feel left out as I believe that the Igbo language is a unifying factor and an efficient tool for the passing down Igbo culture from generation to generation as quoted from Omego. An example can be a marriage ceremony or even a party with some parts traditionally being spoken in Igbo e.g., breaking of the kola nut generational traditions that can die out because of a language barrier. Igbo language and Igbo culture are juxtaposed and the basic characteristics of language are what reflects the culture of its speakers by transmitting one’s cultural heritage (breaking of the kola nut).

Language death is something that I have always been scared about and the realisation becomes more prominent as I come to realise parents and grandparents (who are fluent in the Igbo language and try to pass down the language) are not going to be here forever. Language death is where a language may cease to be used in our community as we, the next generation, are unable to speak it. The most common process leading to language death is one in which a community of speakers of one language becomes bilingual in another language and gradually shifts to only speaking one language. Concerning the generation, I am in, it is already prominent as most of my agemates have grown up in the UK and therefore have classified English as their first language and are making no effort to try and learn their original language. There have been so many times I have wanted to say something in Igbo e.g., a funny joke or just to genuinely speak in my mother tongue but because they can’t reply in Igbo, I feel awkward. Without a language, there is no heart-to-heart connection between species of any kind and I feel that this is true within the generation I live in; the connection that young Igbos should have through language will be lost, and this will be passed down through generations to come until we are mere strangers that only identify each other through the colour of our skin and being Igbo “by mouth”.

In addition to this UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) has predicted a possible extinction of the Igbo language in the next 50 years which is being widely accepted by Igbos that are living both at home and abroad.

An Igbo woman living in America said “Yes, I agree. A lot of our families do speak English to our kids including myself. Charity begins at home. Especially we that live in the western world have adhered to the society we are in and speak English to our kids. Look at the Yoruba people in America, they speak Yoruba to their kids and teach them their culture. I have just started speaking Igbo to my kids. God help us.”  This can be seen as proof that Igbos are to blame for the cause of the decline of the development of the Igbo language.

The discouragement of parents speaking and teaching their children how to speak and understand Igbo (one that I have had first-hand observation of) should also not be overshadowed even in Nigeria our motherland Nwadike (2008:39-40) observes that many Igbo parents do not want their children to speak Igbo. Once, a mother at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, asked her children to” desist” from speaking that “useless” language (Igbo). This class of parents are offended by teachers who teach Igbo as a subject to their children. The Igbo language is made valuable by its speakers (the Igbo people); if they have a negative outlook on the language, then the language will not be seen as important and it will be reflected onto the children who will then pass on the negativity onto generations to come which will, in turn, contribute to the decline of the language leading to its extinction.

 

Many languages of the world have been recorded extinct which has begged the question of where the language users were at this time. In relation to the Igbo language, there is no need to point the blame although there should be an open discussion as to how the language can be kept alive, especially for Igbos living in the diaspora.

 

THE SUSAN’S STORY

Susan is a 16 years old girl with great ambitions. She had always desired to be a successful lady and a doctor. She loved her school, family and did everything almost right.

Susan was very careful and never wanted her dreams cut short. She selected her friends and monitored her movements. Indeed she was cautious and determined to be great lady someday.

Susan was in SS1 when she started feeling lonely because all her friends left her and called her “too serious” and will always make fun and mockery at her simply because she chose to be different. She was indeed very smart and brave but with time she gradually started falling to the distractions that surrounded her. She could no longer concentrate because her classmate persuaded her to lossen up and join them. She felt she was the only one in her league with no friends and cohorts.

She thought, what if I gave Mark the attention he needed, at least he’s a good guy and all the ladies like him and he has been disturbing me to be his friend. Look at me, I am beautiful and intelligent but without any real and cool friends. I can still concentrate on my education while i try to make few friends and maybe be close to Mark, she thought.

Few months later, Susan had changed and was becoming a different version of what she used to be. It all started gradually as she thought, the change was beyond her. She had more friends and felt much happier. She was happy to be loved my Mark who was a secondary school graduate..

Susan now skipped  classes and also visited mark during weekends. Mark promised her every thing he never had but gave her butterflies in her belle with sweet words.

One faithful evening, Susan rush into the bathroom throwing up. She was not sure what was wrong with her but she had mild fever,  felt cold and weak. She assumed everything was fine. She spoke to no one.

The next day Susan open up to her best friend Sonia about what she’s feeling. Sonia was worried that her friend could be pregnant and might be in big trouble. Sonia didn’t have any solution for Susan at that point.

3 days later Susan decide to visit Mark and told him she was sick. Mark carelessly asked, what was wrong with her. She said “fever and dizziness” Mark reluctantly told her it could be malaria and she needed to start taking malaria drugs. Susan was pressed and worried and told Mark she’s not sure its malaria. Mark said OK, so then what’s wrong with you?, she said she doesn’t know but she needs a test to confirm it. Mark said okay, he gave her some money to go get tested.

The worst had happend for Susan……….

Now, Susan kept this from her parents. Only Mark and Sonia knew about the pregnancy. She came back home crying after her result came out positive. She felt angry at herself. She regrets her new self and wished she never listened to those distraction.

She spoke to mark and he said he’s not ready to be a father and that he has a big future ahead so he can’t allow her keep it. He told her she must abort it. Sonia her best friend also adviced her to abort it considering her school and what people will say. Poor Susan was so scared and even felt lonely than she ever felt few month back. She was scared for her life. She was also concern about the child in her womb and was scared to take the life of the innocent baby. The pressure was much on her and it seems the only option she had was to abort the child and move on.

After several days of crying and regret, Susan finally opened up to her mom. She told her everything and how she got herself into her situation. Mom was angry and said very bad words to Susan about the shame she had brought to their noble family. Susan was so miffed and ashamed of herself.

After some few days, she felt much better sharing with her family who were willing to support and even love her despite her conditions. She vowed to keep the baby even if Mark will not take responsibility.

This was a trying time for Susan, she was forced to leave school and take full responsibility for herself and her unborn baby. Her friends now secretly mock at her again. She was locked up and she felt bad. Some point she felt angry but she moved on.

This is Susans current situation,  she stays at home, takes care of her little brother, goes out to get firewood, cook and wash. She sees her friends going to school and making her a laughing stock.

Susan has not given up, she made a mistake, she was foolish, careless and naive. You can call Susan a lot of names. She’s now happy and confident she made the right choice. She made a sacrificed to save her child and her own life. The society will call Susan all sort of names, and laugh at her but I am happy for Susan and her decisions.

There are a lot of Susans out there, leaving in hiding and scared about what the society will say. Life has never been easy from day one for the Susan’s. So many girls, ladies and even mothers have consulted to abortion over a pregnancy they never planned for. Some point fingers at the Susan’s and say every nonsense. This accusing fingers has led many Susan’s to their early grave with words of deception leading to abortion. Some today have lost their wombs due to abortion.

If you cant keep a child in your womb then keep you dignity as a woman. You may try it the first time and call yourself lucky. You may see the pains during abortion as a normal cramp so its nothing. The dangers are not written for you to read. THERE IS NEVER A SUCCESSFUL ABORTION!! It doesn’t matter the number of abortions you have done, its time to put a stop to it. Its time to make things right.

To every girl out there that has crossed this path, that has made the right decision not to abort, I are proud of you and you will be celebrated someday. For every proud mother we are happy to know that you are still strong and moving on despite the hate, insult and period of shame you felt after all the accusing fingers. We are proud of you!!

 

 

WHAT REALLY IS THE PROBLEM?

Over the years it’s been looking like the generation of teenagers coming this time have this difficulty with staying chaste. This may not seem to be true to you but I tell you the truth, the percentage of teenagers who are chastised is too poor compared to the percentage of teenagers we have in our generation today.

 

?How do you deal with the fact that a 13yrs old girl who’s a student has been a lesbian for 3yrs?

 

?How do you deal with the fact that a JSS1 boy who’s not more than 10yrs keeps sleeping with his elder brother who’s a teenager?

 

?What do you think of the fact that a teenage boy in JSS3 has slept with many people that he can’t count?

 

?What do you have to say about seeing countless number of condoms in the custody of a teenager who’s close to 18yrs?

 

Now the question is, what really is the problem?

Is it that they’re not been told or that they don’t know or that they don’t understand chastity or that it’s their time or even what?

 

Well one of the major problems is that THEY ARE NOT BEING TOLD. Yes, they’re not!. Not by the right persons. I could remember my days in secondary schools. No one was ready to talk to us about sex. No one was ready to talk to us about chastity. Well of course, it’s an unholy talk so who do you expect to talk about it. Even the one who did, did with no sense of maturity and you know the end result of that, instead of learning we get aroused.

We were only hearing just like our generation of teenagers today are hearing today “Altered Truths”.

 

Truths like…

✍️Chastity will give you complications tomorrow…

 

✍️Chastity will affect your performance tomorrow…

 

✍️Chastity will stop you from finding the right partner tomorrow…

 

✍️Chastity doesn’t affect your righteousness…

 

✍️Chastity is only for those who don’t have feelings…

 

✍️Chastity is only for those with no sex drive…

 

✍️You can’t stay chastised in this generation…

 

✍️If you must love, then you can’t stay chastised…

 

✍️Sex is one way to show your girlfriend/boyfriend love…

 

✍️You need to alter chastity today to be able to marry tomorrow…

 

✍️You can’t survive staying chaste…

 

These and more are the truths a higher percentage of our teenagers keep hearing but what they don’t know is that ” Being Chaste” is the best thing that can happen to any young person.

Not just that, something else they don’t know is that “Staying Chaste” is the best way of “Honouring God with our Body”.

 

Dear Teenager…

I write to you to tell you that these truths about chastity are not truths but lies just to deceive you.

Listen!!!

You mustn’t break it to enjoy it tomorrow, no! That’s not true. If there’s one great thing you should do for yourself, it is to stay without “compromising “. The future will definitely turn out well for you just for that.

 

Remember your body is God’s temple and the best you can do with it is to ” Keep it Chaste “.

 

Stay Chaste! You’re super advantaged staying that way☺.

 

#love #chastity #nocompromise

 

CHILDREN IN CRISIS: MITIGATING LONG-TERM EFFECT, RISING FOR THE WEAK AND VULNERABLE

In conflict and disaster, children suffer first and suffer most. From humanitarian perspective, children are especially vulnerable to disease, malnutrition and violence. Children living in conflict areas are worst off as they are more likely to be living in extreme poverty, sickness, depression or not enrolled in primary school.

 

The chaos and insecurity of war threatens or destroys access to food, shelter, social support and health care, and results in increased vulnerability in communities, especially for children. Many humanitarian bodies like UNICEF and Save the Children focuses on these children and their families to provide them with the essential interventions required for protection, to save lives and to ensure the rights of all children, everywhere.

 

Hence, the need for sustainable interventions are important because crises are not one-time shocks; their impact can last for years.

 

Global Reports of Children in Emergency

Save the children recently published the War on Children report, which shows that the number of children living in conflict zones have increased by 75% in the last 20 years.

Save the Children concludes: “One in six children across the world are living in areas impacted by conflict, and children are more at risk in conflict now than at any time in the last 20 years. From Syria to South Sudan, Yemen to Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan to Ukraine, children are caught up in violence, which is not of their making. Children are being killed and maimed, raped and recruited, and being denied aid and medical care. Warring parties are bombing schools and hospitals on a scale not seen for decades.”

 

 

 

 

Findings from the mappings reveal the following:

  • In 2016, approximately 1.35 billion children under the age of 18 (59% of all children) were living in a conflict-affected country.
  • In 2016, approximately 357 million children (that is, one in six) were living in a conflict zone.
  • In 2016, approximately 165 million children were living in high intensity conflict zones, i.e. conflicts with more than 1,000 battle-related deaths.
  • The number of children living in conflict zones has been steadily increasing since the year 2000, although the number of countries with armed conflicts has remained quite stable during the same period.
  • Asia is the world region with the highest total number of children living in conflict zones.
  • The Middle East is the world region in which a child has the highest probability of living in a conflict zone.

 

A Peep into the Long-term Effect

Failure to end crisis especially as it affects the health and overall growth of the young child would lead to years of negative impact resulting in;

  • Illiteracy
  • Effect of malnutrition
  • Depression
  • Long term psychological need
  • Unsafe society
  • Unproductivity
  • Over dependence
  • Increase in crime rate
  • Breakdown in Governance
  • Economic burden

 

 

Addressing the Needs

The mapping of children in conflict-affected areas has several implications for policy and further research.

 

First, the agencies who are actively working to mitigate the impact of war on children need to support the generation of more systematic knowledge on the various ways in which children are affected by armed conflict, both directly – through killing and maiming, child soldier recruitment, and sexual exploitation, and indirectly – through adverse health effects. In short, more resources should be invested in generating and managing data related to children and armed conflict across time and space.

Second, there is of course an urgent need to protect the more than 350 million children that live in conflict zones today. Concrete recommendations in this regard include the following:

  • Providing access to quality continuing education, healthcare, food, clothing and shelter.
  • Increasing aid to conflict-ridden countries in order to rebuild infrastructure and health systems
  • Supporting peacekeeping operations in conflict-affected areas.
  • Designing and upholding credible sanctions against armed groups in conflicts.

 

Rights for every child

  • Every child is protected from violence and exploitation
  • Every child has an equitable chance in life
  • Every child learns
  • Every child lives in a clean and safe environment
  • Every child survives and thrives

 

EDUCATION AND ACADEMICS

 

In our world today, I have discovered many of our Youths don’t really know the distinction between these two words i.e, Education and Academics, I used to be ignorant anyways. Truth is, we can’t blame most of these people and as a matter of fact, I wouldn’t have blamed myself ,some were ignorant due to the culture or say, way in which we were brought up (this African Parenting and all), while we can actually blame some due to the things they were told or saw on social media, whichever way, we have been ignorant and we are still ignorant. How?

Many of us think Education is just about going to school, getting good grades through any means and graduating at the end before entering the labour market. Many think both Education and Academics mean the same thing. Of course, in a sense, they do because if one says one is educated, it’s more or less like saying one went to school! This ignorance has led many to saying the popular saying ‘School is scam’. The problem is that if most of these people knew what education is all about they would not have said that. Most of them think it’s just about displaying intelligence ,getting good grades, going for competitions and all, whereas, it is more than just that. You will hear them say things like; there are many people who did not go to school or did not finish their education and are occupying very important places in the world today, as true as this is, they still don’t really know what they are saying. Most people go as far as intentionally not being serious and focus on other things rather than their academics. I am not against that solely; I am just against the fact that they don’t really know what being educated really is. So without wasting much of our time, let us talk about what Education in itself means.

The English dictionary gives it two meaning which I like; The process or art of imparting knowledge, skill and judgment. From the definition, it means Academics in itself is embedded in education (formally), it means you can’t remove academics from education but you can remove the education from academics!

Let’s see how Academics is defined in the same dictionary; Belonging to an academy or other higher institution of learning; also a scholarly society or organization. Theoretical, having no practical importance.

It specifically states that it is theoretical, that means it does not really have practical importance. So, I can teach you academically how to build houses and all and you would never be able to build it! I can teach you academically how to prevent pollution in the environment and it would still never reduce!  Of course, one might think since one has known the theory, then I can easily apply it. Well, you might be right in some sense but you can’t compare it to if I had practically educated you on that! Anything about academics must involve you going to school but education goes beyond that. Education covers all both formal and informal and this is a major distinction. Education goes beyond the school environment ,it involves the society at large. Let’s take two scenarios for example: the first person is A while the second person is B. A went to school just to make one or two friends and get distinctions alone, A does not attend to anything outside his academics and shuns every other thing away and keeps getting his good grades..

B went to school and initially, B planned to just go and be like A but he made some good friends and met some people that helped him to change his orientation and all, so B as much as he focused on his academics, strives to be involved in other things, learns a skill, built relationships that helped him later in life, attended conferences and seminars, engaged in extracurricular and read many books outside his discipline and though, he didn’t get as much distinctions as A but still had a good result…

Now the question is, who was actually educated between A&B? Who really got education and who really got academics? Now to the first question, I would choose both, because in the real sense, they were both educated, at least both went to school and have acquired knowledge. The second answer is B got education while A got only academics. B did not only acquire formal knowledge ,he also acquired Knowledge from different fields and tell me who will be of much relevance in the society but look at A, he didn’t get any informal education at all, he only got the formal one and this is what is really wrong with many of us today.

Yes, from the Primary level to Tertiary level. Most of us go to school just to acquire formal knowledge alone and all, we leave the place of; building relationships with others, engaging in extracurriculars, learning one or two skills, getting social education, attending some conferences and all and we claim we are educated, some have never even bothered to read books outside of their field or outside of their formal knowledge and we claim we are educated, this is why many of these so-called educated ones become mediocre in the society, there has to be a change. I believe at this juncture, I have been able to help us know the distinction between these two words. Like the saying, it is not over until it is over, whether you have been ignorant or not does not matter, what matters it you are no longer ignorant, so I would like to say one or two things to help us change.

Firstly, if we look closely, we would see that this burns out from the very young stage of growth and this is where I would really like to address our Parents and Parents-to-be, give good education to your children. Yes, emphasize on the fact that they have to put in their best and excel but also let them engage in extracurricular, during their breaks and holidays, let them learn one or two skills. Let them attend young conferences, know their talents and help them build it. Let them go for competitions outside their fields and all, don’t wait till they are waiting to gain admission to the University, right from their Primaries, they can start learning things, teach them personally at home.

Also to the schools too, create avenue for them to learn skills and Primary schools are not excluded, create time for them to engage in practical and entrepreneurial skills, create time for them to read books outside the academic world, don’t just restrict them to academics alone. Some schools organize things like social night, talent hunt, clubs and societies, these should be very much encouraged in schools especially the Secondary levels.

For the Tertiary Students, I would speak to us as individuals because I believe most of us have been exposed to some of the things I had mentioned about education in your Primary or Secondary levels, build on them and become better, otherwise, learn one or two skills while you are in the University, equip yourself. As much as you want to make good grades; attend Conferences, build relationships, read good books outside your field, get social education, learn good communication skills, mingle with not only your mates but also with people in higher levels, be inquisitive, know what your friends in others discipline do and learn one or two things from them, read news and know what is going on in the society etc. Don’t let school pass through you, ensure YOU PASS THROUGH SCHOOL TOO!

Get real Education and see yourself become relevant in the future!

 

 

 

 

 

 

God’s Love To Humanity

Boredom kills an outcast, even gods!

Many more a times without a voice to reckon with,

He became God of the creations

He designed and reclaimed his works

He loves what he made, yes He loves!

Without references, he loves

Whispering words of care and no more tears to his creations

 

He makes the world a place of free choice!

A swift hand, the passing of choice

A command of Love

Manifesting in darkness to produce great light.

No principle or direction for loving

He just loves haphazardly.

Even as a blameless highpriest, he still symphatise with our infirmities.

 

Funny! How love died for love

To know love cares soothes the heart

Giving strength to hold on for the feebling in heart.

Refiners fire, who descends to purifies

Just like the wind douses the candle and rouses the wildfire

His love cuddles and chatises too

His abode of love, a reward for the good

Breathe in the very air, he does too.

 

We show others love, then his kingdom we shall abide,

When his palace of beauty I see,

When he choose noble writers to read out their content of writings

May I not be found wanting at my duty post nor my writings not being fit to soothe the Creator’s sore

Never will I be cast away!

God is love this I know!

 

Reflections on the ASUU Strike

 

I’ve been at home waiting for the university strike in Nigeria to end so I can resume school. The “holiday” seems to be long and I want to use this period to get myself a good skill i can help myself with. My uncle used to tell me, “Nowadays, formal education is becoming the basics” plus the fact that my country has unemployment issues. What’s my chance of getting a good job right after school?

I think I’m becoming worried.

What else can I do then, to aid studies?

I thought of a Tech skill. I’ve always wanted to be a Techie girl.

So, I went in for an ADVENTURE in finding myself something I can do and look the treasures I found!

CODING!

 

So far coding is becoming the most sort after skill worldwide. Imagine that. It serves a varaity of purposes that is applied in almost ANY JOB!!! Experts argue it might become a Basic life skill. Wow! Did I say something about BASICS?

Coding might take time to learn and there are different computer languages . I can start with the easiest, HTML and Java Script. I can create apps and sites and more! You want to know about the whopping earning that follows suit?

UX DESIGN!

 

User Experience Design.

Oh I love designs.

UX designs are essential to keeping users on a website. I can do that. Wait, do you know what that means? If I’m good, a lot of companies would want me to help make customers stick to them. Do you still know what that means??? I just need to know the target, what they want, and let creativity take me to the top! Why don’t I start taking UX courses. Oh, I’m so loving this adventure. More? More!!!

SEO/SEM MARKETING!

 

Another awesome tech skill. Find me a company that wouldn’t want more site traffic. None? None!

Digital marketing is important because strong Search Engine Optimising (SEO) skills increases a company’s visibility and Web presence, leading to more site traffic, increased conversations, customers and revenue.

Can I also do this at home? It’s a tech skill. Yes!

 

GRAPHIC DESIGNING!

Where did my creativity go again?

In graphic designing, good illustrative skills can come on handy and I can also start with my phone!

I would work on websites, books, posters, games, displays!.. and I’ll get to earn too. I’ll need to create eye catching Visuals so people would turn up!

Really sound like fun to me.

 

EDITING!

 

Mother says I’m some sort of a perfectionist, maybe this is where I find out if it’s true.

Editing is planning, co-ordinating and revising materials for publications. Easy?

Can I do that? Of course, I can! Sounds like fun and a good source of revenue for a student like me.

 

So…

What do you think? Which one do I start with?

You have a skill? No? Hop in then. There’s no time to waste. Go grab yourself a skill right now. Grab yourself a treasure!

THE CRACK

 

Sometime ago, I went to fetch water, I had to carry the water up because I stayed at the topmost floor. At the last step, I heard a crack from the bucket, I overlooked it thinking that I will soon get to my room where I will check it. While debating about it, just about three doors to my room, the bucket handle removed, fell on the floor. I picked up the bucket and saw that it has broken, not just broken but from the top to bottom.

When I carried this bucket to fetch, it was intact, looking durable but one thing was significant as I carried the bucket up with water, the crack, I heard of it, but instead of me to pause and check out the crack, see if there is any other way(s) I could carry the bucket, I neglected the sound until it was broken from top to bottom with all my effort and energy wasted. I didn’t want to wait, but was forced to, looked on as the water spread.

So many times, we behave like this, and often time we neglect it. We see the crack, heard and notice it, yet still forge ahead because we want to get to where we are going on time or achieve whatever it is we are doing.

The crack could be in your spiritual life, business, career, marital etc, that needs to be checked. The warnings signs are there, it’s seen on the wall calling for something to be done. It isn’t the time to overlook, it is the time to take action and see to the crack, doing what needs to be done. Don’t be in a rush or in haste, don’t say I will check it later, as the later might be too late.

The little action that could have patched up the crack was overlooked, until it gets to the point that it was totally broken. Assuming I had stopped, the damage to the bucket would have been minimal and my effort, energy conserved, yet I didn’t until I was forced to.

The action of not wanting to stop to check it out, might be the one to stop you. Before you are forced to stop, check out the crack.