The Malaria Scourge.

Malaria, according to the advanced oxford dictionary is a mosquito
borne intermittent and remittent fever endemic to warmer regions and
caused by a protozoan parasite (plasmodium). As we all know,its effect
is caused by mosquito bites. The female anopheles mosquito carries the
malaria parasite and injects it into your body anytime it bites you.

Not so many people in developed countries know about malaria because
it is not that common there. However, almost every Nigerian and
African knows malaria and how it kills people. The climate and
topography in Nigeria supports mosquito presence and as such, it is a
disease common in this tropical region of the world. According to the
World Health Organization, malaria kills faster than HIV/AIDS though
not as deadly as it is. 90% of all malaria deaths occur in Africa with
60% involving Nigeria. The menace of mosquito bite on the human flesh
especially children from 0-10, according to World Health Organization
reports, causes One death every 35 seconds in sub-Saharan Africa.

A visit to hospitals around clearly reveals that majority of Nigerians
are under the spell of malaria fever. I have suffered from malaria
several times but still living because there are several anti-malaria
drugs out there to cure malaria. The problem that occur is that
sometimes the malaria parasite develops immunity towards those drugs
so that the drugs don't work again and that is why malaria is very
dangerous and people still die because the parasite has developed
immunity.

Most adults in Nigeria and Africa have developed some immunity towards
the malaria parasite and survive mosquito bites. However, most
children have not yet developed that immunity towards the parasite and
that is why malaria continues to kill children in record numbers but
not adults. Another problem also is that, those living in rural areas
where there are no hospitals and no health centres to get
anti-malarial drugs and treatment often die.

SYMPTOMS OF MALARIA:

The symptoms of malaria include:
1) Feverish conditions.

2) High blood pressure.

3) Loss of appetite, Diarrhoea.

4) Muscle aches, Nausea, Cough.

5) Sweating that repeats every one,two or three days are typical.

6) Yellowing of the skin (jaundice).

7) And in some severe cases,dizziness.

WAYS TO PREVENT MALARIA:

There are several ways also One can prevent malaria attacks but
however the most effective and recommended is the use of treated
MOSQUITO BED NETS. Sleeping with mosquito nets prevents mosquitoes
from getting closer to your body.
Other ways are by clearing the bushy areas around one's house as that
destroys mosquito's breeding place. Insecticides also help to kill
mosquitoes.

The One Child One Net Agency is a public-spirited organization engaged in the protection of children against mosquito bites and malaria. This arose from the need to help curb malaria deaths along with the United Nations by 2015. We'll solve malaria cases and challenges through distribution of cost-effective, innovative and scientifically oriented insecticidal treated nets.

We'll give it out at little or no cost in addition to helping school wards grow morally by organizing seminars effectively driven at building sound character.

Me and My Favourite Food : World Food Day!

Nigeria is a nation blessed with numerous meal delicacies and in all
this, I find One always mouth-watering,luscious and palatable; Starch
and Banga. It is my favourite food.

Starch and Banga soup is the food known to those that come from the
South-south of Nigeria especially the Urhobos. It is known to be one
of the most expensive soup of the Urhobos. In the preparation of
Banga, the seeds are washed thoroughly and put in a pot to cook for
about 20 minutes, the water is then drained from the pot and the
already cooked seed is put in a mortar and pummeled slightly. Much
muscle is not exerted while pounding and little water is added at
interval to soften the pounds of the banga now liquid already. The
liquid is thereafter sieved back into the pot to boil under close
watching because it foams as it boils and thus may spill over the pot.
When foaming has died down,choice of meat and fish is added along with
periwinkle. Vegetable,maggi and salt is then added to spice the taste.
Starch generally has a simple preparation. Dissolving the starch,
putting water, boiling water and mixing it to avoid particles.

I must confess that I am not a good cook, in fact I barely cook but I
don't go hungry. I've got a Super Mom who is passionate about My
Hunger alleviation plus friends and family who most times prepare
choice meals for Me. Recently I've written a great deal about Hunger and
people wonder why I bother, not being perturbed by this I believe
every act of kindness done on earth not only lends a smile but stores
up Heavenly treasures. Hunger and food as different terms are relative
to Man. With Nigeria blessed with different delicacies that are not
only tasteful but healthy, it is a misnomer for one to go hungry.

Bolajoko Diosamame Fadipe and His FoodClique members recently
researched and found out that 1 in 7 Nigerians go to bed Hungry
without food that day. What a contradiction I thought owing to the
truth I eat very well daily and even waste food as a result of over
feeding. Most times even, I eat starch and banga soup twice in a day
yet people go to bed in Nigeria without food. Summation of their
analysis reveals that a staggering 22,857,143 Nigerians sleep without
meals and have no hope of it. How many must have died I pondered. I
have always considered truthful the fact that every act of compassion
makes a difference to someone. We can end hunger if we chose to come
as ONE and Fight it. There are genuinely sufficient resources in the
world to ensure that no one, nowhere, and at no time,should go hungry.
Bolajoko Fadipe and FoodClique through personal resources aim at
ending this hunger tragedy and I am fortunate to be part. Hunger, or
under nutrition, results from the insufficient intake of macro- and
micro- nutrients. It can lead to chronic malnutrition or the severe
wasting associated with acute malnutrition, why then should We allow
Fellow human beings go through such trauma.

October 16th is World Food Day and Food and Agricultural
Organization/FoodClique are ensuring No One goes Hungry on that day.
Bola and His friends are giving out food, materials and resources to
Hunger enriched individuals and areas across Nigeria. You too can help
by feeding someone on that day. Hunger makes a thief of any man and
helping with a nutritionally spiced up diet on the day is a boost for
social life. I've written on issues concerning hunger before and in My
findings, people pay less attention and pensiveness to it as they
believe that hunger is unavoidable in any society, even a society that
is blessed with great abundance. That is not true. The European
community today does not have hunger widespread. Most of Our citizenry
believe also that hunger only affects people who are lazy or people
who are just searching for a handout, people who don't want to work,
but, sadly, THAT IS NOT TRUE. Over one-third of our hungry people are
innocent children who are members of households that simply cannot
provide enough food or proper nutrition, some live only on the paltry
#18000 in Nigeria. And to think of the elderly suffering from
malnutrition is just too hard for most of us.

FoodClique will be marking this year's World Food Day by embarking on
a community Food outreach to feed Our hungry neighbours. The aim of
the day is to create public awareness about the problems faced by
people who struggle for food despite its abundance in the world. The
World Food Day was proclaimed in 1979 by the Conference of the Food
and Agriculture Organization (FAO). It marks the date of the founding
of FAO in 1945. The purpose of that day heightens public awareness of
the world food problem and strengthen solidarity in the struggle
against hunger, malnutrition and poverty. In 1980, the General
Assembly endorsed observance of the Day in consideration of the fact
that "food is a requisite for human survival and well-being and a
fundamental human necessity". I have given to this cause and I enjoin
you to.

Why allow Fellow Nigerians go hungry when We have the best weather in
Africa to grow seed and arable crops?, Why don't you distribute food
to the hungry people?. You can make a difference by lending a smile.

Food aid as we know is not a sustainable solution to World
hunger,though there are emergency situations between life and death
where Food is needed and critical for survival. For the 22 million
Hungry Nigerians, hunger is a daily, sometimes life-long, reality.
People living with persistent hunger require and deserve a sustainable
solution based on self-reliance. Some of the ways to ensure long term
food security to me is by emphasizing on rural development by enabling
Men and Women to tackle and eradicate Hunger from their communities.
Increment in local production and provision of farming tools and
equipments such as fertilizers to aid harvesting are among others.
Endeavour to make someone smile on the 16th of October as you make the
difference; Feed!.

Musings Of An Insane Nigerian: Happy Birthday Compatriots!

Musings Of An Insane Nigerian: Happy Birthday Compatriots!: For Us as an independent and sovereign people,We turn 51 today and I am so glad; Not necessarily because of the togetherness or survival des...

Happy Birthday Compatriots!

For Us as an independent and sovereign people,We turn 51 today and I am so glad; Not necessarily because of the togetherness or survival despite bickerings or maladministration,It is the assertion that We've surpassed expectations of many and grown steadily with Our way of life.

To Me, It calls for celebrations, We should 'party hard' but still be pensive about where we should be headed as a Nation. Looking back and peeking ahead, There's more to fight for to become better.
Despite enormous resources at Our disposal, No Clean water, No constant electricity, No good roads as We now have world class morgues as roads, Our Politicians have used Us for their campaigns of calumny and even recycle us for the same use. In all this, We're still ONE.
I Love My country Nigeria and its People so dearly, I really do not know about you. Some of the ways include;
1) Nigeria is a nation blessed with rich human and natural resources, We're the 7th largest producer of Oil in the World, No tsunamis,No earthquakes, No droughts, This is God's Own Country as the Land is Evergreen.

2) Nigeria and Nigerians always show appreciation for good deeds and value. Awards of merit such as Order of the Niger (OON), Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) are given to deserving Nigerians who distinguish themselves here and beyond.

3) Nigerians are a happy people and extend such with pomp and pageantry. If you've ever been with a True Nigerian, You'll get fatigued. We transcend Our hospitality culture and its appreciated and noted the world over.

4) Nigerians, despite Our diversity are a United people who always strive to help one another, We suffer but We don't break. Over 200 Ethnic groups, 774 Local Government areas, 36 states, More than 160million people, We remain steadfast together to ensure National development.

5) Nigerians are survivors. They strive to break walls. A Nigerian is not hard to spot the world over,He/She keeps body and soul together in any clime. Our Black skin makes Us adapt to the toughest of situations.

If You're a Nigerian and A Proud One Like Me, Give a Huge shoutout today!.
Its OUR CELEBRATION...One People We'll remain!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Y'ALL.

WORDS FROM THE ABIA STATE UNIVERSITY (ABSU) GANG RAPE SCANDAL.

Below are some of the observations made during the course of the rape between the victim and the men. One could easily tell the excruciating pain she had to go through;
Biko, biko... ; (victim’s voice).
You don finish, cool down please now... (victim’s voice).
Its not fair... (victim’s voice).
kill me,you people should just kill me... (victim’s voice).
commot (take off) your hand (laughter from the gang).
you people should please nah... (victim’s voice).
Let me pay money please,anything... (Victim's voice).
Are you enjoying it?. Jesus Christ, who do you think I am? I have my own car, I am doing my IT... (Rapist's voice).
No,no,no,no... (victim’s voice at least 4 times).
My hand, my hand... (victim’s voice).
Do you know Zaki?... (Rapist’s voice) Fine girl like you, I wan show you something, I be law student, pure law;my 4th year.Uchenna…(a call out to fellow rapist).
You people should please nah... (victim’s voice).
At least I have tried nah, Turn, turn, turn... (rapists to victim).
Una, una, Please nah... (victim’s voice).
Stay for ground... (Rapist to victim).

Dear friends, I must disclose that I had a migraine and cried after watching with my eyes closed, listening to the torture this poor girl went through for the 10 minutes 35 seconds Tubidy.mobi clip on my smartphone.

The hunt for the five RAPISTS/DEFILERS from Abia State University 'crowned in 2009 to be Africa’s most Humanitarian Friendly University In Africa' has begun.

On My own, I am beginning to search for these names off and online. I am texting everyone on My network plus engaging those whom I have access to that high network access.

Fellow Nigerian, This is the time to call on all your influential contacts to bring this matter to the hearing of the President. Yes, it is that serious. The Daily Times reported that “the gang- rape of a female student of the Abia State University, Uturu continues to generate reactions, but precious little action.” Come on folks, this is the time to do your bit. Lets not allow these inhumane coldblooded act go unpunished. To be honest with you, I am determined these animals in boys clothes must be caught, not flogged or castrated alone, but locked up for the rest of their lives. This could have happened to anyone you are close to. I apologise in advance if this will offend anyone, but if you are a graduate of Abia State University, or an indigene of Abia State or have contacts to the Vice Chancellor or Governor T.A Orji or anybody of the remotest influence, and you don’t do anything about it, then I am afraid, this should never leave your conscience for the rest of your life. I am seriously bittered by this callous non-mortal act.

The first official reaction at the federal level has come from the Minister of Youth Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi (@BolajiAbdullahi), who on Sunday described the rape as despicable and immoral. A statement by the Minister’s spokesman for media, Julius Ogunro, said, “In the video, the young woman was threatened, rough handled, and sexually exploited by the men, who are said to be cultists. To make matters worse, this despicable and wicked act was recorded and circulated by the alleged rapists, who blurred their own faces. This behavior has rightly caused outrage among young Nigerians, parents and all those who have seen the video recording.
The Honourable Minister views the behaviour of the perpetrators as decadent and barbaric; and believes the attitude of these men, if indeed they are young Nigerians, does not represent the character and nature of the Nigerian Youth.

Mallam Abdullahi therefore calls on the University authorities and relevant security agencies to step up action to ensure that the heartless and wicked perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted. He has also promised to help rehabilitate the young victim if she would make herself available to the Ministry. I doubt if She would.

What has shocked me is the news that some sites have reported that Abia State University have vehemently denied the boys are from Abia State University. I don’t really care, if the culprits are not brought to justice, I will for the rest of my life remember and associate gang rape to Abians AND ITS State University. Yes, it is that bad. As an Indigene, this is the time to do your bit.

If you have any information as regards the names of those mentioned which are Uchenna , Wisdom, Zaki, Chisom, and Ifeanyi or Ugbaanyi, then automatically he should be a suspect. Please contact the nearest Police station or better still, any website that has reported this scandal.
The fact that students of the school have vowed to bring this culprits to book is a major boost. Bit by bit,We'll all play Our part.

I am not left out, I am prepared to go all the way to bring these culprits to justice. 5 black-hearted Nigerians against the rest of Us is a small chase.

PRAYER FOR NIGERIA IN DISTRESS.

All powerful and merciful Father, You are the God of Justice, Love and Peace. You rule over all the Nations on earth. Power and Might are in Your hands and No one can withstand You.

We present Our country Nigeria before You. We praise and thank You for You are the source of all We have and are. We are sorry for all the sins We have committed and for the good deeds We failed to do. In Your Loving forgiveness, keep Us safe from the punishments We deserve. Lord, We are weighed down not only by uncertainties, but also by moral, economic and political problems.

Listen to the cries of your people who confidently turn to you. God of infinite goodness, Our strength in adversity, Our health in weakness, Our comfort in sorrow, Be merciful to Us Your people. Spare this Nation Nigeria from chaos, anarchy and doom. Bless Us with your kingdom of Justice, Love and Peace.

We ask this through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

In God is Our Future and Hope.

Nigerians for Nigeria!

Please be informed that as We pray this daily, We should in all zeal BELIEVE in what we say.
Thanks.

Musings Of An Insane Nigerian: BOKO HARAM AS THREAT TO EDUCATION IN NIGERIA.

Musings Of An Insane Nigerian: BOKO HARAM AS THREAT TO EDUCATION IN NIGERIA.: That Nigeria’s educational system is far from the desired is unquestionable. However appreciable this fact is, it has not redefined things a...

BOKO HARAM AS THREAT TO EDUCATION IN NIGERIA.

That Nigeria’s educational system is far from the desired is unquestionable. However appreciable this fact is, it has not redefined things as the sector is constantly faced with various shades of challenges.
A most recent angle to the myriad of challenges facing this sector in Nigeria is the security threat to students, staff and properties of citadels of learning. This has become even more evident with the advent of the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad sect (which in Arabic means “People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet’s Teachings and Jihad), popularly referred to as 'Boko Haram' by residents of Maiduguri, Borno state in North-eastern Nigeria, where it originated.
The group has ostensibly stated its disregard for modern education and its proponents. Meanwhile, they have not stopped at mere words as they have bombed almost everything within their sight since they started their onslaught about three years ago.
Sometime ago,The threat by an anonymous group that necessitated the closure of the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) was instructive and self explanatory. The threat, which was neither from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), National Universities Commission (NUC) nor issued by a court of competent jurisdiction, took less than 24 hours for the university authority to enforce. This brings to bare confusions over who is now temporarily in charge of the education industry.
Same has been seen of the University of Benin whose Management is in uncertitude over whether to close down or remain in session.
Loosely translated from the local Hausa language, Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad means Western education is forbidden. Residents gave it the name because of its strong opposition to Western education, which it sees as corrupting Muslims. The term Boko Haram comes from the Hausa word boko meaning “animist, Western or otherwise non-Islamic education” and the Arabic word “haram” figuratively meaning “sin” (literally, “forbidden”). Report has it that Boko Haram opposes not only Western education but Western culture and modern sciences as well. Its followers are said to be influenced by the Koranic phrase which says “Anyone who is not governed by what Allah has revealed is among the transgressors or infidels.” Boko Haram promotes a version of Islam which makes it “haram”, or forbidden, for Muslims to take part in any political or social activity associated with the Western society, including voting in elections, wearing shirts and trousers or receiving a secular education. Arrant idiocy to me. It was against this background that the charismatic Muslim cleric, Mohammed Yusuf, formed Boko Haram in Maiduguri in 2002. He set up a religious complex, which included a mosque and an Islamic school. Many poor Muslim families from across Nigeria, as well as neighbouring countries, enrolled their children at the school. But Boko Haram was not only interested in education. Its 'political goal' was to create an Islamic state, and the school became a recruiting ground for jihadist to fight the state. One of the far-reaching steps as a consequence of this situation is the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) killings.
UNIMAID's authorities' said letter read in part: “We give the school authorities till end of this month or before the beginning of Ramadan to release you all, if not something very bad will happen.” Though the authenticity of the letter could not be verified, the university authorities did nottake any chances. Same has also gone for UNIBEN,UI and the rest who now thoroughly search their staffs and students. The resultant effect to all these now is the truncation of academic learning and consequential mass exodus and evacuation of students of the institution.
In the case of UNIMAID, Turn after turn and in quick successions governors of Benue, Lagos, Ogun, Kogi, Anambra, and other states of the federation moved in to the troubled state to evacuate their indigenes and students following distress calls for assistance. It remains to be seen what happens to these new threats now that same is about to occur in the West and South and yet nothing is being done. The nation as I write is in a dire situation with a clueless individual as its head. I have repeatedly said that a Goat does not give birth to a Lion. Ifeanyi Eze posited that 'an army of sheep lead by a Lion would always defeat an army of Lions lead by a sheep'. Leadership has always been Our problem and We're not looking to overcome it soon,atleast not for the next four years. What does this portend for the future of education in Nigeria?
To me,It is a wake up call to the government which appeared not to have taken the Boko Haram issue very seriously until the recent of bombings in Abuja, Bauchi and Niger states for which the sect claimed responsibility. Another dimension is that another closure of these pointed universities could cause a displacement of over 100,000 students at the schools, Most of who's students have travelled from far-flung parts of the country in search of quality university education.


Senator Atu Lucky opined recently that granting Boko Haram amnesty is a 'Hollow Ritual'. Really not a fan of amnesty but looking at the messy situation we are in,what is the next step. Bishop David Oyedepo,reacting on the issue recently, urged the federal and the state governments to see to the grievances of the sect.

Big Shout out to Oyeniran Apata, Senator Atu Lucky and Wikipedia for Insights.

THE HUNGER BAWL; YOU and ME appendage.

Thanks for the visit once more, Do continue;

My dear friend, A safe and nutritionally adequate diet is a basic individual right and an essential condition for sustainable development, especially in developing countries. Why wait on foreign aid, why not help ourselves. Year in Year out,Some of Us spend lavish sums on less pensive issues,Nigerians,the world over are known for attitudes that involve pomp and pageantry. Organisations like the World food programme have done tremendously well to fight this cause but We can do more by Ourselves, Please lend your hand and lets fight Hunger together.
I'll end this by saying We all know 'Hunger makes a thief of any man'. I urge you to give today. Fight the good fight fellow Nigerian. Next time you pass someone on the street who is in need, remember how lucky you are, and DON'T TURN AWAY.


Several ways we can Aid Somalia and Ourselves in this Horn of Africa crisis would be Posted subsequently.

Shoutout to Bolajoko Diosamame Fadipe and Senator Atu Lucky for their researches.

THE HUNGER BAWL; YOU and ME!

The Oxford university press dictionary elucidates Hunger as 'A feeling of discomfort or weakness caused by lack of food, coupled witht the desire to eat'. The thesaurus gives other words as 'Malnourishment', 'Ravenousness', 'Emptiness' etc.

In the world we live in today, It would shock you my friend to know that more than 925 million people go to bed hungry and hunger kills more than AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined, making it the #1 health risk in our world. The day I came across this information, I was weak. To know that each passing day, i threw food crumbs away notwithstanding and now found out that someone died out of lack for it was bitter to me. I went for confession.

Usually, I’ve received news that has made me really angry but lately The UN announced that famine has spread to more areas in the Horn of Africa and '750,000 PEOPLE' are now at risk of dying in Somalia by the end of the year. I pondered for a while, Is it just food that is the problem or what?, Can't famine be tackled? . I decided to then write. My friend, Please note that this piece is a plea, a call for YOU and I.

Bolajoko Fadipe, A Hunger fighter told me recently that after a research carried out by His company, it was found out that 1 in 7 Nigerians go to bed without food for that day. A nation blessed with rich human and natural resources I wondered. I never took hunger to be a serious issue until I came across certain pictures and videos from the 'World food programme' organisation. You could see individuals with bleak futures already as the only thing they cared about was their stomach, violence is inevitable in such cases.

The above news comes on top of an already desperate situation:
12.4 million people in five countries across the Horn of Africa are affected.
Tens of thousands of people have already died from starvation, half of whom are children – and malnutrition rates in some regions are worse than anything previously recorded.
Half of the Somali people now depend on food aid to stay alive,But something CAN be done I believe. Drought might be inevitable, but famine is not.

I consider truthful the fact that every act of compassion makes a difference to someone. We can end hunger if we chose to come as ONE and Fight it. There are genuinely sufficient resources in the world to ensure that no one, nowhere, and at no time,should go hungry. A man not only needs to know how to fish, he needs to have the freedom to do it and a place to do it. That's where We all come in. We have to help each other, and I feel the government has a very important role therein. Hungry people cannot be good at learning or producing anything, except perhaps violence. It pains me to see that foreign aid is being sought for situations we as africans could tackle in House.

The desire to write this piece grew in me when I heard Vice-chair of the US joint chief of state Admiral David Jeremiah recently say and I quote 'there is nothing of geo-political value in somalia that should engage the US interest, the intervention had only one motivation - humanitarian. It appeared to me that the western power has never involved in a crisis that will not favour them, rather they consider their benefits before spending. Is this Humane?

We are a country that prides itself on power and wealth, yet there are millions of children who go hungry every day. It is our responsibility, not only as a nation, but also as individuals, to get involved not just for our country but for somalia now also.
Drew Barrymore remarked recently that She could not think of any issue that was more important than working to see that no schoolchild in the world goes hungry and I fully agree to that. Education as we know cannot be overemphasised.

'School feeding not only fills stomachs, but has a proven track record of boosting enrollment, attendance and academic performance. For just pennies a day per child, this program changes lives – and ultimately can impact the futures of poor countries around the world in a profound way', She opined.

When we work to end childhood hunger, we are giving our love to kids who need it so much they will never ask for it. One of the greatest feelings for me in the world is knowing that we as individuals can make a difference.

Many of you may think that hunger is unavoidable in any society, even a society that is blessed with great abundance. That is not true. The European community does not have widespread hunger. Somalia being a failed state today does not mean its people should die. Most of Our citizenry believe that hunger only affects people who are lazy or people who are just searching for a handout, people who don't want to work, but, sadly, THAT IS NOT TRUE. Over one-third of our hungry people are innocent children who are members of households that simply cannot provide enough food or proper nutrition, some live only on the paltry #18000 in Nigeria. And to think of the elderly suffering from malnutrition is just too hard for most of us. The problem to me is about not caring enough!. Renowned Member of the US Presidential commission on world hunger David Brooks posits that "If we are going to stop wars on this earth, we are going to have to make war on hunger our number one priority."

Blogger stops me here People, PLEASE check the follow Up below!

THE HUNGER BAWL; YOU and ME!

The Oxford university press dictionary elucidates Hunger as 'A feeling of discomfort or weakness caused by lack of food, coupled witht the desire to eat'. The thesaurus gives other words as 'Malnourishment', 'Ravenousness', 'Emptiness' etc.

In the world we live in today, It would shock you my friend to know that more than 925 million people go to bed hungry and hunger kills more than AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined, making it the #1 health risk in our world. The day I came across this information, I was weak. To know that each passing day, i threw food crumbs away notwithstanding and now found out that someone died out of lack for it was bitter to me. I went for confession.

Usually, I’ve received news that has made me really angry but lately The UN announced that famine has spread to more areas in the Horn of Africa and '750,000 PEOPLE' are now at risk of dying in Somalia by the end of the year. I pondered for a while, Is it just food that is the problem or what?, Can't famine be tackled? . I decided to then write. My friend, Please note that this piece is a plea, a call for YOU and I.

Bolajoko Fadipe, A Hunger fighter told me recently that after a research carried out by His company, it was found out that 1 in 7 Nigerians go to bed without food for that day. A nation blessed with rich human and natural resources I wondered. I never took hunger to be a serious issue until I came across certain pictures and videos from the 'World food programme' organisation. You could see individuals with bleak futures already as the only thing they cared about was their stomach, violence is inevitable in such cases.

The above news comes on top of an already desperate situation:
12.4 million people in five countries across the Horn of Africa are affected.
Tens of thousands of people have already died from starvation, half of whom are children – and malnutrition rates in some regions are worse than anything previously recorded.
Half of the Somali people now depend on food aid to stay alive,But something CAN be done I believe. Drought might be inevitable, but famine is not.

I consider truthful the fact that every act of compassion makes a difference to someone. We can end hunger if we chose to come as ONE and Fight it. There are genuinely sufficient resources in the world to ensure that no one, nowhere, and at no time,should go hungry. A man not only needs to know how to fish, he needs to have the freedom to do it and a place to do it. That's where We all come in. We have to help each other, and I feel the government has a very important role therein. Hungry people cannot be good at learning or producing anything, except perhaps violence. It pains me to see that foreign aid is being sought for situations we as africans could tackle in House.

The desire to write this piece grew in me when I heard Vice-chair of the US joint chief of state Admiral David Jeremiah recently say and I quote 'there is nothing of geo-political value in somalia that should engage the US interest, the intervention had only one motivation - humanitarian. It appeared to me that the western power has never involved in a crisis that will not favour them, rather they consider their benefits before spending. Is this Humane?

We are a country that prides itself on power and wealth, yet there are millions of children who go hungry every day. It is our responsibility, not only as a nation, but also as individuals, to get involved not just for our country but for somalia now also.
Drew Barrymore remarked recently that She could not think of any issue that was more important than working to see that no schoolchild in the world goes hungry and I fully agree to that. Education as we know cannot be overemphasised.

'School feeding not only fills stomachs, but has a proven track record of boosting enrollment, attendance and academic performance. For just pennies a day per child, this program changes lives – and ultimately can impact the futures of poor countries around the world in a profound way', She opined.

When we work to end childhood hunger, we are giving our love to kids who need it so much they will never ask for it. One of the greatest feelings for me in the world is knowing that we as individuals can make a difference.

Many of you may think that hunger is unavoidable in any society, even a society that is blessed with great abundance. That is not true. The European community does not have widespread hunger. Somalia being a failed state today does not mean its people should die. Most of Our citizenry believe that hunger only affects people who are lazy or people who are just searching for a handout, people who don't want to work, but, sadly, THAT IS NOT TRUE. Over one-third of our hungry people are innocent children who are members of households that simply cannot provide enough food or proper nutrition, some live only on the paltry #18000 in Nigeria. And to think of the elderly suffering from malnutrition is just too hard for most of us. The problem to me is about not caring enough!. Renowned Member of the US Presidential commission on world hunger David Brooks posits that "If we are going to stop wars on this earth, we are going to have to make war on hunger our number one priority."

Blogger stops me here People, PLEASE check the follow Up below!

The 419Positive Project; SHOW THEM WHY!

Dating far back to the 80’s, the term ‘419’ has associated Nigeria and Nigerians primarily with online financial scams - ‘Advance Fee Fraud’. Most unfortunately, the situation exacerbated to such an extent that the internet became overwhelmed with such negative news attributed to Nigeria.


In response to this, ‘The 419Positive Project’ was initiated, with an ambitious objective of generating four hundred and nineteen positive attributes about Nigeria and Nigerians. “If you could tell the world one remarkable thing about Nigeria and Nigerians, what would it be?” Furthermore, in Peter Reilly’s Forbes blog post (Aug 28, 2011), he suggested a similar intervention to his Nigerian audience – “Make lists of 419 reasons to like Nigeria and Nigerians...” His suggestion came as one remedial to his previous post (Nigerians Switching From Greed to Fear), after some Nigerians took exceptions to his views. Other online posts by Chika Uwazie, Nmachi Jidenma and Akin Akintayo, have further lent a voice in this regard.

Pulling these ideas and suggestions together, an online rebranding campaign is being furthered. The aim is clear – to consistently inundate the internet with positive Nigerian attributes, such that when anyone types in ‘419’ in a search engine, it yields positive commentary about Nigeria, irrespective of the pre-existing negativity. This drive is labelled 419 Reasons to Like Nigeria. Awareness is currently being ramped up online, with the topic having trended on Twitter in the early hours of 2nd of September. There will be the big bang launch on October 1, 2011 (Independence Day), of at least 100 Nigerian blogs and sites listing four hundred and nineteen remarkable reasons to like Nigeria, with subsequent monthly blog publishing till the end of 2011.

Every Nigerian with a blog, website, and online presence of any sort (Facebook, Twitter, Google+, account etc.) is encouraged to volunteer and be a part of this campaign. With sincerity and candour, it is true that some, in times past, have contributed unfortunately to the prevailing negative association of ‘419’ with Nigeria, however, the time is NOW for us to counter- strategise by providing alternative content via an online rebranding initiative. To register your interest, simply send an email to volunteer@419Positive.org, with the subject –CAMPAIGN VOLUNTEER, and be sure to provide contact details (email address) so you can be reached subsequently. Volunteers will be contacted latest by the 9th of September, 2011.

Do tell the world what they don't know about Us. This is a Nigerian for Nigeria initiative. We should embrace it. Be a part of this drive...the time is now! Let’s tell the world 419 Reasons to Like Nigeria.

Shoutout to Idiare @id49ja Atimomo.
Culled from www.tharrosandbuzz.blogspot.com

My Tweet'Escapade; The Fecundity Call Appendage!

Thanks for the drop by to view this, I continue saying that till date,lots of friends and family Of mine Have asked Why I Bother Myself with social talks at my age & What I stand to gain?, My riposte most times is that I am a Nigerian, I hope to marry a Nigerian plus I hope to have Nigerian Children someday attended 'Government owned schools' but on all sides,there is really little that can in all seriousness set the youth on the path of conscientious growth and development. It is no wonder to me that the perception of right and wrong, nationalism and patriotism, cultural norms and values, truth and honour by We the youths is hardly encouraging.
I believe In the future of this Country.I believe We can make Change if We desire and set our mind to It. My voice goes out to My Twitter Uncles and Aunts, Lets keep up the good fight. We know more about 'them'(fifth columnist) now than they do of Us. In the words of OJ Okwuadi, don't confuse activity with productivity, a diffused light has limited impact, but when Light's focused like a laser it can cut through steel.
'No need engaging in issues of minutiae when Most of Our fellows cannot eat/feed/ and even sleep well'. Thomas Jefferson said 'Every generation needs a new revolution'. John Fitzgerald succintly said too that 'those who make peaceful revolution impossible make violent revolution inevitable'. To me, 'The greatest cankerworm that has ruined Our nation is corruption', Sound character development is the only maxim to rescue us from this decadence and guarantee a successful future.
I'll end by saying that #India, #Yemen, #Egypt, #Libya have all risen against Injustice, against corruption, and against shortchanging. #Nigerians; The world awaits YOU.
Big shoutout to Kunle Durojaiye '@kunledee' for His morale-boosting and scrutiny.

My Tweet'Escapade; The Fecundity Call.

Sometime last year, I watched Dr David Oyedepo (G.O Living Faith Church) preach a sermon saying that 'your worth in life is essentially a product of the use of your mind'. At the time, I cared less for this country's plight given the fact that I could eat three mouthwatering square meals a day, get Silverbird galleria tickets to see My favourite movies et al. In the course of the build up to the 2011 elections(My first time eligible), I developed a sense of belonging and patriotism for the country as I began to see through various media the rot and maladministration the 'previous' and 'current' dispensation had done to Us. In order not to let it continue, I began writing and posting notes amidst mockery from family and friends on My facebook page such as '2011 Elections;My thoughts', 'Building the Nigeria of Our Dream', 'Nigeria;An Opportunity in crisis'. With the above said and done, My motive was not accomplished as the crop I fought against had the media and everyone for them. I told Myself 'Who am I afterall',A young undergraduate.
I became active on twitter six months ago(though I registered the account late 2009 out of being internet savvy), something that struck me on it was that It had people I had always read from afar and wanted to connect with. I immediately learnt the ropes and began My 'tweetosphere' sojourn following and not being followed. It pained me as I was not being heard(followed) for the first few weeks running to months because I had a purpose for being there. It was as if I was tweeting nuggets and opinions to the air. I decided to start getting on several discussions(uninvited) afterwards and then gained some followers from there. Amongst my first sought after followers were @ALIBABAGCFR @chidimokeme and @Audu, I remember bragging with a few friends in school here that the Ace ribcracker followed Me. With continuous tweeting and several engaging duels, I began to get people, some by begging nonetheless.
Some of the people I hold in high esteem on twitter include @toluogunlesi @bubusn @je_mc2 @wildeji and now @kunledee not necessarily because they follow back when they know you add value but because they are social commentators seeking change for a nation in crisis, they provoke certain words right out of my subconscious, and take certain tweets right out of me.
Roughly two weeks ago, My compeer and friend @eaboyeji and I argued about the cabal that held this country's progress for the better and He made me know that 'We overestimated them and Underestimated Ourselves'. Inasmuch as I agree with him, I also consider truthful the fact that Our lives as Nigerians (150 million of Us) lie in the hands of less than a 100 people some of which are now known as FOOLS.
Hellen Keller said 'Face your deficiencies and acknowledge them,But do not let them master you. In the country we live in today,because corruption was not nipped earlier in the bud, it has now become a bane. We have leaders in this country who now see public office as an avenue to enrich themselves. 'We' care little about this dilemma as some of Us either gain from them or await the opportunity to also assume such office. I am of the school of thought that believes that when God and people place you in a position of authority, You either rise up to the occasion or face jibes but authority and its functions are not being adhered to here. Bastardization,unscrupulousness,double-dealing and profiteering has eaten Us up so deep that we can no longer demand accountability from those we vote in. Some of Us even see bribery as a norm. We are no different from the 'cabal'(IBB,OBJ,GEJ et al) in any form.
Leadership must not be built on falsehold,ethnicism but what do we see;Campaign of calumny and all sort of nepotistic schemes.
We're a country that forgets things easily. I've come to realise this long ago. I have strong belief that If you don't suffer for your evil deeds now, soon enough, You will. Cases involving Charles taylor, Hosni Mubarak, Muamar Ghadaffi, and even our own James Onanefe Obori just makes me know that Evil will be punished. It may take time but It will.
Another problem we have is that these despotic and nepotistic tyrants have youth seeds. It pains me so much to see this. A goat doesnt give birth to a sheep. At times, a Great future seems bleak as Our septuagenarian and senile leaders didnt leave us with any foundation.Your children take your character, They are not different from you,you are not different from them.
On twitter, I was able to find out that We could still boast of quality people who take character and integrity seriously. One thing I found out also was that Nigerians didnt take salvaging the current decay in a very very pensive manner. The polity itself has not shown much good example to the upcoming generation in terms of responsibilities in leadership,citizenship and the like but With the help of the Most High and fervent personal development, Some of these Twitter folks have been able to break from the norm and gain real knowledge to upgrade themselves. I call some of them Uncles and Aunt. @toluogunlesi @kunledee @bubusn @id49ja @je_mc2 @Ebuka @DoupleEph @MrFixNigeria @BankyW @eLDeeTheDon @estherclimate @wildeji just to mention a few.
Blogger makes Me stop here, Please see My Tweet'Escapade; The Fecundity Call's appendage above!
Thanks.

NIGERIA: An Opportunity In Crisis.

Events in the last few weeks in Nigeria have left me wondering about where we are heading. The spate of bomb blasts across the country and the general state of insecurity that came to its height with the bombing of the Police Headquaters in Abuja is a reflection of how the Nigerian state is in debauchery. But the attack was significant in other ways. It was not just an attack against the Nigeria Police which has unduly drawn the ire of the public. By targeting the defender of our national security, the bombers, whoever they were, were sending a clear message. Unfortunately, the leaders of our neo- colonial state have failed to take notice. The response by the government has been, not surprisingly, speculative. Three weeks after, we do not know whether it was a suicide attack, a time bomb, or a foreign terrorist attack. Since the incident, the President and Commander-in-Chief has not shown any resolve to tackle terrorism, or any of the numerous problems, including corruption, that have placed us at No14 on the list of 'failed nations'. Not Long ago, I wrote about the window of opportunity the April 2011 election offered us if we Voted Right. One can conveniently conclude, with hindsight, that it was an opportunity willfully WASTED. But even for those who voted for President Goodluck Jonathan like a personal campaigner and friend of mine Ntigoroku Atarhe,the tragedy looming at us is one that calls for concern. The fact that the president inherited a broken system is not an excuse for the situation to get worse. For five months now,we're yet to see any blueprint on how to salvage this moribund situation yet we discuss amnesty for Boko Haram,tenure elongation et al. I have never doubted Jonathan's impotence & helplessness to the polity, Expectedly, all manner of charlatans and political hangers- on lobbied for his kitchen cabinet made of concubines and buxom bimbos while hunger and poverty stalked the land and insecurity envelops the country. The more we continue to deceive ourselves,the more we fall into deeper pits of corruption,bombings et al.

NIGERIA: An Opportunity In Crisis.

Events in the last few weeks in Nigeria have left me wondering about where we are heading. The spate of bomb blasts across the country and the general state of insecurity that came to its height with the bombing of the Police Headquaters in Abuja is a reflection of how the Nigerian state is in debauchery. But the attack was significant in other ways. It was not just an attack against the Nigeria Police which has unduly drawn the ire of the public. By targeting the defender of our national security, the bombers, whoever they were, were sending a clear message. Unfortunately, the leaders of our neo- colonial state have failed to take notice. The response by the government has been, not surprisingly, speculative. Three weeks after, we do not know whether it was a suicide attack, a time bomb, or a foreign terrorist attack. Since the incident, the President and Commander-in-Chief has not shown any resolve to tackle terrorism, or any of the numerous problems, including corruption, that have placed us at No14 on the list of 'failed nations'. Not Long ago, I wrote about the window of opportunity the April 2011 election offered us if we Voted Right. One can conveniently conclude, with hindsight, that it was an opportunity willfully WASTED. But even for those who voted for President Goodluck Jonathan like a personal campaigner and friend of mine Ntigoroku Atarhe,the tragedy looming at us is one that calls for concern. The fact that the president inherited a broken system is not an excuse for the situation to get worse. For five months now,we're yet to see any blueprint on how to salvage this moribund situation yet we discuss amnesty for Boko Haram,tenure elongation et al. I have never doubted Jonathan's impotence & helplessness to the polity, Expectedly, all manner of charlatans and political hangers- on lobbied for his kitchen cabinet made of concubines and buxom bimbos while hunger and poverty stalked the land and insecurity envelops the country. The more we continue to deceive ourselves,the more we fall into deeper pits of corruption,bombings et al.

EDUCATION AND ITS TERRAINS(The level we are;The level we see).

In a world where we think we're now closer to our next neighbours; havoc and social vices still occur. What breeds such situation? Education to me is the gateway key. We have so undermined the prowess of the less privileged and now it has come to hunt us. Nuisance value heralds the atmosphere in our everyday lives both seen and unseen. Some reported,some not. Certain events we only 'imagined' and thought could 'Never happen' cloud us day by day on our dailies and we cannot but stare in shock.
I've seen folks living in the gutter looking up to the sky and hoping they'll get there someday,I've also had the opportunity to mingle with trust fund kids(what i call rich kids) and hear them deliberate on motor arcade races,disney land trips and posterity wealth.
What moral justification is there comparing these kids from the slums and those in affluence?, A trust fund child from birth attends Corona Sch,Lekki British International, Chrisland Schs and thereafter moves to Convenant University, Harvard, Cambridge with no hassle at all WHILE on the other hand, a child from the slum goes to 'Government owned' schs like Ivbiyeneva Sch,Abraka grammar sch without sandals or basic needs for a child. The government cabal of the day doesnt look at this as a major problem as Their kids do not attend such schools,the bone of contention to them is tenure elongation. The teacher-student relationship and level of low life management in our government schools today is a mess and nothing to behold but on the opposite coin, i do not blame them as with a paltry sum of #18000 naira, one cannot but decide that He doesnt want to work effectively.
Ironically, legislators of today earn over 1m naira a month and still complain,the truth is some of their buxom bimbos would not collect #18000 as severance fee after unwholesome acts yet they deem it fit to call such sum 'minimum wage',an amount a little less than $120 which cannot be used for commuting,feeding,accomodation and other sundry expenses in a month. Won't this situation be regarded as 'Man Unkind' according to music crooner Innocent Idibia. We are aware of the saying that 'He who opens a school door closes a prison' but the level of dilapidation in our government owned institutions have left the wards already in a penitentiary situation. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR) still in oblivion with 5 months gone doesnt have any mapped out plan on how to salvage us from this perilous situation.
I am not in anyway saying that all Trust fund kids tend to have larger than life treatment or all under privileged kids don't. My thoughts here come in a more discrete form; Nuisance value is referred to as when one contributes negatively through noise, distruption, social vice and all to his society while Wisdom value is the reverse where one contributes and inputs in his society good moral standard positively. A youth who grows up in the slum is psychologically affected when he sees his opposite fellow in a car or moving up the ladder in life.
Kidnapping, rape, armed robbery and other social vice has to rise as envy and greed from lack is inevitable. All this emanate from the inability to raise educational standards in the nation. You dont expect a child from the slum to be able attend American University of Nigeria( owned by embezzler and former vice president Abubakar Atiku) where fees there amount over $3500 per session.
The gap we have today between the rich and the poor has come to stay because they do not want us to know what they would teach their children,they stack up huge sums of wealth in banks across the world for unborn generations of their loins.
I agree to the term 'If education is cheap, try ignorance' but the high standard of education in this country is so appaling and uncalled for. Subsidies are not being given by the government and those hoarding wealth are not encouraging the situation.
Now, My feelings here go to those who feel they have been prejudiced by God for being born in this country. The leaders are not encouraging,no good roads, lack of pipe borne water, proper Health care is an exclusive right of those in affluence addendum, have it in mind that there's no limit to what you can achieve in life except for the limits you place on your own imagination. Our Septuagenarian Leaders have failed us,they have bridged the gap between us and their children;its now time for us not to fail ourselves and those to come after us. Let us strive to achieve greatness at all cost,it is now as if we have 'extraordinary nigerians' and 'ordinary nigerians'. Lets not give up with the suffering,Build yourself,harness your talent and the sky will be your stepping stone.
Lets not just complain about the system,lets join hands and change it. The society has been unfair to some of us but let us enjoy life as it is knowing that things are worse for others and a lot better for us.
For those in luxury,lets not blatantly ignore the other two-third of our brothers and sisters in impoverished situations across the country. GIVE AID TODAY, SEND SOMEONE TO A GOOD SCHOOL because IF YOU THINK YOU'RE TOO SMALL TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, YOU'VE NEVER BEEN IN BED WITH A MOSQUITO.