Author: Talking-B

Dualism of Social Media

A great servant but a bad master, a sword having the double edge with might and mind of its own mostly escalating beyond what the handler proposes. It is a virtual world where anybody can put on a façade towards an end and convince some people with the mirage of believing others’ life is perfect. Social media is an interactive, interesting, exciting computer oriented new technology that has widely changed our means of creating and sharing of information and ideas.

It is a community where you can grasp the attention of the world or lose it within minutes, gain friends and recognition across the globe, etc. depending on your contents. Social media is an amazing platform to educate oneself in a variety of ways beyond what can be taught in class. Everyone strives to make an impact on others even though, the motive differs ranging from some trying to gain popularity and others scheming to maintain a positive social media reputation. For some, it is the only means of ruminating for the benefit of others and the acceptance of others.

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18 March 2019
A pathetic trend in our society: Suicide
Mornings are bright, reassuring and often filled with hope, it is another chance to start over again in a better way in the hurdles of life. In the same vein, nights also has her glamorous beauty, closure and rest though dark but unique. Seas dry, just like trees, animals, and birds die obeying the cycle of life. Humans are no exception even though, a bit more dramatic yet the inevitable cannot but happen eventually. Death is agreeably a spectacular design in all living creations which put an end to existence, but no one in their right mind wishes to die irrespective of how long they have lived. This becomes a puzzle, raise questions and leave others in awe when the cause of death was perpetrated by self. It is termed SUICIDE.

Researches by WHO shows that Close to 800,000 people die due to suicide every year that is, one person every 40 seconds. Which further reveal that for each adult who died by suicide there may have been more than 20 others attempting suicide.¹ The act of committing suicide used to be very rare in Africa communities and even termed “western madness” in some part of Africa showing their firm belief in the common phrase “when there is life, there is hope”. Nigeria now ranks the 30th most suicide-prone country out of 183 nations in the world with 15.1% suicides per 100,000 people annually.²

One cannot but wonder what prompted the underrated abuse of will and freedom motivating people regardless of age group resorting to the inhumane plague of the mind. The inquisition has over time shows depression, mental disorders, financial difficulty, marital problems, academic challenges, rejection, and several others things deem to be mundane as causative reasons for such drastic decision and an easy way out of all these worries. An average Nigerian has one worry or the other especially, as surviving in the country has continued to prove tougher leading to a rampant rate of suicide cases lately.

Though other causes like terminal diseases, absence of working national security system, lack of unemployment benefits, lack of good infrastructure and unfavorable economy can lead people to commit suicide, it cannot be overemphasized that 90 percent of people who commit suicide suffer from depression or mental illness with bipolar and schizophrenic disorder inclusive. Most of the major causes of death which include sickness, poverty, and malnutrition happen to also be, some of the causes of depression. Indeed, tackling depression in our society could be the first giant step to eradicate suicide.

Even though, it is a crime to attempt suicide, prosecution of the act appears to be rare probably due to lack of correctional facility to help them or measures to reduce the reoccurrence of such act. Unlike diseases and sicknesses that can be prevented and treated when prevention fails, nothing brings succor to a dejected soul except appropriate counseling. Family and friends often fail to understand the symptoms of suicide not until after the harm has been done. The burden suicide does extend beyond the deceased as it psychologically affects people left behind, filling them with guilt and contempt wondering if there is something they could have done right leaving their heart bruised. It is important that we begin to take every abnormal behavior, violent remarks and careless statements of frustration serious and observe closely.

There is a need for government, NGOs, churches, and other institutions to create awareness to sensitize the populace closing the gap in the treatment of depression and establish counseling centers where people could visit to seek succor as prevention is the only viable approach to curb the habit of committing suicide. As much as we hate to be caught up in poverty, sickness, disappointment, rejection, et al… we should never forget they are part of life which has been from the time immemorial and will be till the end of time. It is our duty to overcome the challenges!

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References:
1. World Health Organisation Report
2. Africa.com
11 March 2019
International Women’s day

Women that inspire us

We are sharing some quotes by women that inspire us. Over the years women have fought so hard, they have fought against violence, injustice, rape, inequality etc… Today, we have women flourishing in science, politics, media, churches, and every social domain. The fight is not yet over but we cannot ignore the progress that has been done. We celebrate a girl child, a daughter, a mother, a wife, a sister, an aunt.

Quotes

1. Michelle Obama

« You should never view your challenges as a disadvantage, instead, it is important for you to understand that your experience facing and overcoming adversity is actually one of your biggest advantages. » Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama is a symbol of strength, courage, and resilience. We are inspired by her fight for education and the empowerment of the girl child.

2. Mother Teresa

“I am not sure exactly what heaven will be like, but I know that when we die and it comes time for God to judge us, he will not ask, ‘How many good things have you done in your life?’ rather he will ask, ‘How much love did you put into what you did?” ― Mother Teresa

Mama Teresa, the champion of love and selflessness. It’s more like choosing to intentionally love and live a life of service.

3.Malala Yousafzai

“When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful.”― Malala Yousafzai

Malala is a symbol of courage in the midst of fear. Always speak and stand for what you believe, people will talk at you, abuse you and sometimes shot you in the head.

4. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

« It’s not your job to be likable. It’s your job to be yourself. Someone will like you anyway » Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

We would refer to her fearless, she says what she thinks. One of our writing mentors. The way and manner she pencils her thoughts are intriguing. This quote reflects what you feel when you read her books, she is just being real.

5. Joyce Meyer

“Spending time with God is the key to our strength and success in all areas of life. Be sure that you never try to work God into your schedule, but always work your schedule around Him.” ― Joyce Meyer

A purpose driven life by Joyce Meyer is one of the books that helped shape the lives of young people of our generation. Joyce Meyer speaks truths and undiluted word of God

6. Indra Nooyi

Leadership is hard to define and good leadership even harder. But if you can get people to follow you to the ends of the earth, you are a great leader. Indra Nooyi

Nothing more inspiring as a good boss lady, Indra Nooyi is the CEO of PepsiCo, she is known for her amazing leadership skills and how she perfectly manages her role as mother, wife and a CEO.

7. Amina J Mohammed

“Let us join forces to build a future of dignity for all, in which no one is left behind” Amina J Mohammed

She radiates grace and beauty, leading in the United Nations, standing for the right of woman all over the world. We respect and salute you.

We celebrate our mothers and all the beautiful women out there, keep moving, let nothing stop you!

Share your comments and tell us about the women that inspire you?

8 March 2019
CHINA AS THE NEXT SUPERPOWER
Alice Lyman Miller, a China scholar and a former CIA analyst define “A ‘superpower’ as a country that has the capacity to project dominating power and influence anywhere in the world, and sometimes, in more than one region of the globe at a time, and so may plausibly attain the status of global hegemony,” This requires excelling in multiple areas of power projection: economic, military, political and even cultural . In all standards, the United States only wear the cap appropriately since it overtook Great Britain as the world’s dominant country.

Over the years, there have been several potential superpowers emerging with promising prospects among which the European Union and the BRICS involving Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa are recognized. These countries gain the individual international recognition they deserve, garnished with merited accolades in remaining relevant.

China has proved itself to be a formidable potential global force, with an outsize influence in shaping the 21st century but whether it overtakes the U.S. is still a mystery though it seems likely. They have been able to transform a poor society by an economic miracle to become arguably the world’s second-largest economy in the world.

In the last 15 years, China has been involved in a breathtaking and questionable lending, this goes far beyond it’s geographical regions to the depth of Africa. It is important to note that over 100 predominantly low-income countries have gotten Chinese loans in order to finance their infrastructure projects and sometimes expand their producing capacity.

For instance, Sri Lanka experienced a boom in their economy due to a loan they had gotten from China, the country prospered in all ways and manners but this was short-lived because when the payback time came, the Sri Lanka government realized they have way too much debt. As a result, they ended up renegotiating more deals with the Chinese government which involves a 99-year lease deal handling over control of it’s investments to the Chinese government, one of which is the port of Hambantota.

Another case, the Kilamba City in Angola is a large housing development which was built by the China International Trust and Investment Corporation and Investment Corporation with the aim of housing up to half a million people but the aftermath of this project was non-profitable as it was too expensive for the middle-class citizen. Nonetheless, the government had already signed a long term deal with their natural resources for the reimbursement of their debts to the Chinese government.

With over 10,000 Chinese-owned firms operating in Africa,¹ we must admit that the Chinese are doing quite well in being the next superpower but the motives are quite unclear essentially because, in some of the countries where they build infrastructural projects, they fly in their laborers taking away job opportunities from the population.

One is forced to ask what are the inherent motives to the Chinese lending, especially to these growing economies? What are the futuristic drawbacks of being indebted to Beijing? Is this the modern day colonialism? What are their diplomatic strategies?

China continues to make a mark on the world as they have the largest troop in the United Nations peacekeeping missions, pays more than 10 percent of the UN’s total budget above any country besides the United States. They have shown enormous interest in developing an edge in new technologies such as hypersonic missiles, cyber and artificial intelligence.

Obviously, China is not folding its arms for an opportunity to be presented to them on a platter of gold and have worked ceaselessly for every achievements and success they have made over the years. Nevertheless, there is more than meets the eyes.

References:
1. McKinsey&Company report
7 March 2019
Nigeria Election 2019: Igbo, Hausa Tensions?
There had been agitation across the nation during the preparation for the Nigeria presidential election slated for February 16, 2019, which got postponed to February 23, 2019, by the electoral commission. The incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari got re-elected and set to be sworn in on June 12, 2019. Even though there were several propositions of rigging by members of the two major parties across several polling units, it cannot be denied that traces of hooliganism and violence were considerably seen in some states which led to the loss of lives and damage of properties.

It was a notable occurrence that the returning president could not win in any South Eastern State despite his gigantic winning in the North. Regardless, this puzzle is not out of context in any election settings as it has reflected in several election processes in the past. Meanwhile, his party remains the runner up across the Eastern region which means several thousand voted for him even in the East.

In 1914, Sir Frederick Lugard suggested that the two British protectorates: Southern and Northern will be under one single governor general. A few years later in 1939, the southern protectorate will later be divided into two provinces Western and Eastern. For the country was divided in such a way that the North had slightly more population than the other two regions combined which eventually marked the beginning of three geographical regions that formed along tribal lines, the Hausa and Fulani to the North, Yoruba in the South-West and Igbo to the South-East to create the present day Nigeria.

Should it be considered as a fallacy of hastening generalization to draw out a conclusion that, there is a rigid marginalization coupled with an embittered rivalry between the Northern and Eastern people of the nation following the results of the elections? Understanding that after the colonial period, Nigeria suffered a continuous regional tension, caused by ethnic competitiveness, educational inequality, religious extremists, violent insurgencies and economic imbalance, with the South complaining of northern domination, and the North feared that the southern elite was bent on capturing power. ¹

This lead to the Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Biafra War from July 1967 to January 1970 which was caused by the attempted secession of the South Eastern province of Nigeria as the self-proclaimed Republic of Biafra. Immediate causes of the war in 1966 included a military coup which resulted in General Aguiyi-Ironsi, an Igbo, assuming power as President, followed by a northerner-led counter-coup, the control of the lucrative oil production in the Niger Delta and the killings of over 80,000 Igbo people in the North of which half of them children. Could it be said that this coupled with the violent conflicts/killings in Southern Kaduna and Benue involving Christians mostly farmers attacked by Hausa-Fulani Muslim herdsmen may have fueled bitterness towards the present government of Muhammadu Buhari?

Our aim is not to dwell on the past but to reiterate that, “No sacrifice is too much to avert chaos, prevent any further incidence of criminality, protect human lives and spare the lives of the country,” as stated during the forum of former governors in vanguard news on July 20, 2017. The sacrifices start with the use of information at our disposal. Planting and building on seeds of contempt and hatred will not in any way help the country. The president has a burden of responsibility on the nation, not on the area that voted him in or his tribe.

References:
1. Britannica. com
2. The roots of Nigeria’s religious and ethnic conflict by Moses Ochonu
4 March 2019
Child Maltreatment and Sexual Abuse

John is a smart, brown-eyed boy, slightly tall and dark thick hair like the mist of Indian embroidered in beauty somewhat as the Greek god Adonis whom Aphrodite couldn’t get over. As a child, he was that type of baby everyone wanted to kiss and hold in their hands. He is now 11 years and still radiates the beauty and glow of a baby except for the way he paraded on foot. There is an unusual limping related to his style, at first you will believe it is a voguish manner associated to prepubescent children of his era but a deeper look, you will be forced to question his faltering walk.

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25 February 2019
The Faults in Africa Education System

The education system in Africa, contrary to the belief of many, existed a long time possibly taking its origin from Ancient Egypt. The Schools of Holy Scriptures built in Egypt (former Ethiopia and Al-Azhar) were the first form of higher education. These schools became cultural and academic centers attracting people from all over the globe for knowledge and instruction. Meanwhile, the world’s first university was located in Timbuktu, opened in 2600 BC.

The indigenous knowledge system was based on traditions in which communities effectively taught and learned from themselves through daily life rather than strict education. They used modeling approaches to pass the necessary skills to younger members of the community.

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21 February 2019
The world in the face of Imperialism

A crisis is an unexpected event leading to dangerous and unstable results. Crisis in the past has affected countries all over the world, amounting to civil or world wars, dissolution of companies and also economic meltdown. When they affect a country’s constitutional system, they cause changes in all forms and arms of the government.

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18 February 2019
Colonization- A bowl of confusion

History is described as the chronological record of significant events that have occurred in the past and often including an explanation of how they have happened. When events happen before the written record, it is considered prehistory. According to Historians, West African region harbored some of the first settlers of people and have been in existence since 4000BCE. They grew large and created civilizations and settlements across the South of Sahara with Kingdoms often referred to as the Sahelian Kingdoms.

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13 February 2019
Rape- A cancer that feeds on the soul

Humans have thus far accumulated an ocean of knowledge that transforms humanity to a modern version in all ramifications. Nevertheless, derogatory behavior such as rape still has a firm grip on a large ratio of the human race irrespective of geographical location, status, religion, color or tribe.

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11 February 2019