A HEART FOR REFUGEES!

 

So it's been a while I was here. I literally got overwhelmed with happenstances all around, both locally and internationally, if you are as observant, you would agree that these issues are indeed overwhelming. Thanks to Favor for nudging me back to consciousness, I know you are reading this, thank you!

So I recently came across a research on the refugees not just in Nigeria, but the international refugee situation, to which Nigeria is a major contributor, and I was literally broken to see how individuals, who possibly are better citizens than you and I, become 'wonderers' for the rest of their lives.

 

The United Nations had identified 15 trouble hot spots globally that contribute to the refugee situation, namely South Sudan, Central African Republic, northeastern Nigeria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somalia, Ukraine, Iraq, and recently Syria. In fact, as of February 2016, the UN reported that 13.5million Syrians required humanitarian assistance, and of this number, 6.6 million had been displaced inside of Syria and 4.8 million were refugees outside of Syria; especially in Turkey. These figures are from just one of the 15 hot spots. "Refugees are people like anyone else, like you and me", Ban Ki-moon couldn't have said it any better.

The tales from some of these refugees situations will move you to tears. One volunteer asserted, "I have worked in a lot of difficult situations, but this one is the biggest and toughest so far. My body is tired, but my soul sings". 

Joram has been a refugee for only a few months, and in mixed emotions he reported, "I'm 28 years old, and I'm studying English...Seven members of our family were beheaded, one of my relatives had to witness her daughter being killed... All we want is a normal life". Sami had also been a refugee for two years, and speaking of the young lady in his company, he said, "This is my love. We have been happy together for the past two years. We're waiting for our whole family to be safe in one place, then we will get married". 

 

It is indeed a tale of mixed emotions; some have stories of death and suffering, others have stories of love and laughter through pain, all these however doesn't excuse the reality of a dare situation. 

June 20 is slated as the annual UN World Refugee Day, so do we wait another 9 months to extend love and support to refugees closest to us? I recommend that 'everyday is a refugee day for everyone', as long as we have the heart, the means, and refugees.

THE PAIN OF SOCIAL MEDIA IRRESPONSIBILITY!

 

I prayed I would not have to write about this, but here I am. Most times what you pray about, you are not able to bring about; sadly, this is life!

About a month or so ago, the social media was trending with the news and campaign; championed by some of 'Nigeria's voices': Toyin Aimakhu and Linda Ikeji, amongst others, for some millions of Naira to save the life of Mayowa Ahmed who, at the time, was battling with ovarian cancer. Nigerians were shocked when few days later, the same people came back to say that what they had given so much time and effort into and Nigerians had responded timely to, was a hoax and false. Emotions indeed were hurt; those of campaigners, donors and recipients alike.

After proper investigation, it was discovered that it wasn't a hoax afterall and Mayowa still needed help. Apologies can be more hurtful sometimes, especially when actions or reactions are not properly thought out. 

 

Mayowa Ahmed was flown to South Africa on August 11; a delay that would have resulted from the complications surrounding the campaign and false alarm on the funds raised. Sadly, Mayowa passed in the early hours of today August 21st. It would be unfair to blame any part of Mayowa's sad incident on any of the individuals involved in the drama, but these individuals may, for a long time, keep memories of Mayowa and the role they played in her final weeks.

Linda Ikeji has since apologized for an act I call 'social media irresponsibility' and Toyin Aimakhu had also deleted all posts of the passionate appeal made for the dying Mayowa from her Instagram account, but I wish the same could be done to the records in the mind...

 

The lesson is simple! Social media can be likened to the tongue, and could even be more dangerous than it: USE WISELY!

#SleepwellMayowaAhmed

STATE OF THE ECONOMY

 

The last few months in Nigeria seem to have been the worse ever experienced in the history of Nigeria, maybe since the end of the civil war. In fact, some Nigerians have concluded that 'things have fallen apart'; from a bag of rice rising from N13,000 to N28,000; a rim of A4 paper rising from N500 to N1,200 and even one gala rising from N50 to N70 or so Naira, and unfortunately, income isn't just constant, but threatening to reduce. Things indeed seem to have fallen apart. Someone was reported to have committed suicide two days back; the first of its kind in my area and without a note, now am wondering could this be the new trend?

 

We can help each other survive this unique times of the Nigerian economy. Simply share with us how you have kept yourself up and going in this sickening times in Nigeria. You can just be helping someone survive tomorrow or the day after.

C'mon just leave a comment please and share if you can! 👍

NOVEMBER TO REMEMBER!

 

Back to back, the national convention of the two major political parties in the US have been concluded; the Republican National Convention preceding the Democratic National Convention, holding from July 18 - 21, 2016 in Cleveland and July 25 - 28, 2016 in Philadelphia respectively. Gradually, a process that began some two years or so ago with prominent candidates like: Dr. Ben Carson (world renowned Neurosurgeon); Ted Cruz (Texas senator); John Kasich (currently two-term governor of Ohio); Marco Rubio (Florida senator since 2011); Jeb Bush (brother to ex-president George Bush, son of George Bush Snr.); Carly Fiorina (former boss of Hewlett Packard and executive at AT&T); Jim Webb (former Virginia senator and US Secretary of Navy); Lincoln Chafee (former senator and governor of Rhode Island); Bernie Sanders (independent senator from Vermont); among others, have been narrowed to two major candidates; Donald Trump (Republican Nominee) and Hillary Clinton (Democratic Nominee), and come Tuesday, November 8, 2016, one of these two individuals would be voted to replace President Barack Obama in the Oval Office.

 

The 2016 US elections hasn't been without it's usual intrigue and suspense. Donald Trump; a business man, has been a very interesting candidate in the race for the White House and several political commentators and analysts in and out of America have expressed varied views and concerns about his candidacy, policies and probable win come November. However, what remains a speculation is whether or not Trump would pull through with all his policy intentions, and only time would reveal that to us. 

 

In 2008, history was made as Americans, from all the choices before them, choose a 'regular Black Senator' from Illinois to be their President. Hillary Clinton has been another very interesting candidate in the November race for the White House. Contesting and loosing to Obama in 2008, Clinton seemed to have kept her eye on the Oval Office, and eight years later; having supported Obama's government and administration, Clinton seems to have gotten Obama and, indeed, America's nod to become, in the history of the United States of America, the FIRST female to be nominated as the Presidential flag bearer by a major political party in the US, and FIRST female Presidential hopeful of the United States of America.

 

The conventions have ended, the game is still on, Americans are making up their minds, who is going to become the 45th President of the United States of America? 

It's indeed going to be a 'November to Remember'!

Related post: http://mykogu.blogspot.com/2016/06/history-in-making.html

FALSE FLAG OR NOT, TURKEY IS ON FIRE!

 

The dawn of Saturday, July 16, 2016, may have been another beautiful morning for you, but it certainly wasn't for Turkey; the government had been compromised, the military had left the barracks, what seems to be the military counterpart of a revolution had occurred, there had been a military coup!

The coup which, according to report, began at 21:30 on the eve of July 16, was believed to have been staged by a faction of the Turkish army. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had been on a vacation within the country when the coup plotters struck blocking two major bridges in Istanbul and seizing the Turkish Parliament in the Turkish capital - Ankara. By dawn, the Turkish government reported that the coup had failed and the government was fully in control.

Whatever the 'triggers' of the coup; attempts by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to transform the state into an Islamic brotherhood state, or pressures and reactions from Kurdish insurgency and terrorist attacks, Turkish democracy has been badly challenged, and that has serious implications. Again, although some skeptics have argued that the incident of Friday night wasn't a real military coup, but a false flag; alluding to the fact that no government official was captured prior to the coup, the President was also not captured, and infact the time of the coup was suggestive, whatever the case, there has been a coup - fake or real, with real consequences unfortunately.

If President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had only intended to use the coup as a means of strengthening his grip of government; making the coup a false flag, unfortunately that  trick would only succeed for a very short time, and if it was actually a failed coup, it is most likely that, not too long from now, there would be another attempt, and another, if there are no visible changes in the Turkish domestic and foreign policies in the months and years ahead.

 

For whatever it is worth, the recent and unfortunate incident in Turkey sends a message to governments across the globe; there is always a limit to injurious policies, and when 'the people' are pressured to the limits, they surely would respond in a revolution (civilian response) or a coup d'etat (military response). Democracy would only make sense as long as government is responsible to 'the people', including the armed forces.

At least 200 people have died, more than 1,100 wounded and 6,000 arrested over the coup attempt. The Turkish coup has also, since, been condemned domestically and internationally by NATO, the EU, and ME! 😊 

Erdoğan has been Turkish President since 2003, and leads an Islamist cabinet. He has also faced increasing pressures owing to the Kurdish insurgency in the south-east, and a series of ISIS terrorist attacks.

CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE IS NOW A MOM!

 

Who knew that our dear Miss Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is now a MOM!?

Lauren Porter reported that the "We must all be Feminists" advocate, who insisted to be called 'Miss' even after her marriage, hinted in an interview with London's Financial Times, that she had had a baby. "This is just very sugary, very sweet. I would probably have a glass of wine, but I’m breastfeeding, I’m happy to announce," she said.

 

"This is the first time I’m saying it publicly. I have a lovely little girl so I feel like I haven’t slept … but it’s also just really lovely and strange. I have some friends who probably don’t know I was pregnant or that I had a baby. I just feel like we live in an age when women are supposed to perform pregnancy. We don’t expect fathers to perform fatherhood," she explains.

 

Adichie and her husband Ivara Esege welcomed a little girl recently, but they have remained silent about their daughter's name and date of birth.

However, all we know for now, is that, in addition to a long list of crowning achievements, Ms Adichie is now also a mom!

Hearty congratulations to our multi-award winner and orator and her hubby!

NO WORK ON THURSDAY - THANKS TO THE MOON!

 

http://greennews.ng/breaking-fg-declares-new-holidays/

According to Greennews, Thursday, fortunately or unfortunately, is another public holiday. The Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau in a statement issued today in Abuja said this development is following "the directive by the President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto, to the effect that the Ramadan fast continues today (Tuesday) as a result of the non-sighting of the moon”.

Subsequently, the Federal Government has now declared Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th July, 2016 as Public Holiday.

Enjoy the holiday my Muslim fellaz, I wish Christmas or Easter could also be shifted whenever we wanted because of some reason as well... 😊