ARE WE THERE YET???

As I rode the train back from work last night, it occurred to me that the nature of the problems experienced in Africa and indeed the West African sub-continent is all to do with the local people....us!

Engaging in conversation with two friends, both African soon lead to the African question focusing on the problems in Nigeria Vis-Ã -vis the third term drama currently in show on the Nigerian Stage. Of course we all concluded that this was a hugedisappointmentt..Andd naturally so when one considers the issues at hand on the global stage, Nigeria appears to be stuck in a time warp of perpetual stupidity. However it was the comments of one of the chaps, a bright Igbo boy; that struck me! He was of the opinion that "if they kuku fight in Nigeria, the UK will open its doors"! I was stunned! I could not believe my ears. On the other hand, regardless of my Indignation at the whole situation; his comments buttresses the point that the focal point of reference for the Nigerian problem lies with the blatant disregard the country has for its future.

As the rest of the world focuses on insuring its future by combating possiblepandemics, empowering its youth, fighting child poverty and increasing child literacyfiguress; Nigeria's political elite stillsquabblee over unfashionable details as common thugs would after a heist at the local bank. The sheer ludicrousness of it all!!!!

It is quite clear that, going by the comments of this young Igbo chap and those picked up from the media that the Nigerian question can not be solved until the youth of the country are empowered and the future secure!!!

Confessions of a naive black mind!

Earlier on this evening, Sean and I engaged in one of our argumentative debates on world issues and current affairs. Our topic of discussion centered around immigration policy and fitting in as it were. According to Sean, people weren't trying hard enough to integrate as they still held onto their cutlures and former way of life with reference to the way they dressed for instance. This opinion I find to be typical of the average westerner but unfortunate considering hopes of a borderless world. I mean, do we all have to wear jeans and T-shirts to fit in? Is wearing a burka wrong? Isn't this against the whole idea of a free society, considering the very basis of most western societies as bastions of democracy. Sigh. It appears the big governments have now become the 'Big men' of the world, "Big men"as in the term the western media sarcastically use in description of African men (fortunately or unfortunately) in a position of power. Whilst the US once again exercises its hegemony over the rest of the world through the export of its culture, it has not for once considered absorbing some from the outside...Which is a terrible shame. I cannot understand how a people can close up to information. Knowledge and exposure is such a beautiful thing. As I pointed out to Sean, most of the western societies do themselves a disservice by not absorbing more information from the outside. What we find nowadays are a breed of un-intelligent kids who do not know where timbuktu is..ref:chantelle of the Big brother fame.
At work today, Emma my boss swung through moods as she contemplated her forthcoming holiday. I have got to give it to the young lady, she certainly knows her stuff and i would agree that she deserves a holiday. As i watched a new episode of new TV show commander in chief, I could only reflect on the past day. The message I got from that particular episode of the show was READ BETWEEN THE LINES. Between Emmas mood swings and her agreeing to my observation that I am a shallow person, perhaps I am indeed missing something......
Too tired to continue, must get sleep!!!

Show me the meaning!!!!

Gosh it’s quite late! Or early considering it’s almost half past one in the morning. I have just returned from a relaxing evening of food and drinks with some Nigerian friends. The evening was too hilarious to put into words. I did have fun though, which is always a good thing. With reference to one of the subjects animatedly discussed at the gathering, it is always a good thing to network as you never know who or what people might turn out to be. I was a little shocked to be honest (even though I feel guilty for thinking this way), as the conversation was very good. The various topics discussed were actually thought provoking and sensible.....future ambitions, realism of it all and even the very essence of life. Most interesting however, was a thought provoking question which I found intriguing. Are there reasons for EVERY action here on earth? Trust me, I was up in arms about how everything has an explanation and how we all have a purpose here but if we are to be realistic...is there really a reason for it all? Could we possibly be caught up in some mindless warp of time and space? Do we really need to achieve? Do we have to differentiate? Does Africa have to be poor? I could go on and on.....
Late last night (I mean Saturday night), I decided against going into work the next day as it was Easter Sunday. I wanted to "go to church" like a good catholic and do something honorable for a change. If I am to be honest with myself, I was bored to tears at church. Whilst the ceremony was beautifully put together, the choir out of this world and even the priest singing the Kyrie eleison to perfection, I could not get a connection. I could not feel the spirit as one would in a lively church with people clapping and singing loudly. With drums and cymbals adding to the delicious cacophony of praise as one would have back home. Should I have stayed home or gone to work instead? Had I miscalculated once again? Am I truly catholic?
I spent the most of the afternoon lazing around, talking on the phone and not doing much really. Yes, I worked on my introduction for my second essay but that wasn't much if I am to be honest with myself. Sigh. In all truthfulness, I spent a totally valuable day doing absolutely nothing; once again I ask myself if that action was justified. Do I work hard enough to deserve a rest? Do I take life too seriously? Am I in too much of a hurry?
I forwarded an IM I got on my yahoo address to some of my contacts and basically the message that instructed the receiver to send an IM describing me in one word. Of course I got loads of replies, some nice, some ok, some rude and some even sexy...but what caught me was the repeated use of the words diligent and controlled! What the hell does that effing mean? Sigh. Whilst I battle all these questions flying around in my head, I can only look forward to the week ahead as it spells two things. One, we are closer to the summer and second and most important, its one more week closer to pay day WOO HOO...I am a skin flint!!!!!

Reality Bites of a naive little boy!

It’s Saturday evening and for me, the weekend has finally arrived! In a sense, I have had an exciting week, only not exciting in the real sense of things. I think I should say I had more of an eye opener this week! Recent events of the world stage didn't catch my attention this week... not at all. On the contrary, I was more immersed in mine. Sudden realization of the existence and reality of issues of the nature of racism are a bit difficult to swallow. Up until now, I have been very comfortable in my skin (lol), confident of my intellectual capability and maybe even seen myself as rather suave and cosmopolitan. Some people apparently may think I am not, all for the sake of the color of my skin. And considering recent happenings in the news (as per political correctness...i knew i said i wouldn’t talk about recent events...er so i won't!), they most likely will not air their opinions publicly. I wonder if that is such a good thing! I was having a chat with a Nigerian friend at work called Chi chi and we got on the issue of "bringing up the next generation of émigré’s", a much talked about issue with Nigerians in Diaspora. As usual, we all agreed solemnly to the disservice we would be doing our children by doing so. Of course, this was accompanied with the usual snorting and down turned lip movements typical of Nigerians when discussing an issue with a forgone conclusion. However, our reasons for agreeing were quite different. While she hankered on about the children in this 'country' not having respect, and declared that her children would have respect; clasping her breasts to emphasise....I mused about mine! I thought heroically about rescuing my children(if I had any) from growing with a stigma attached to the color of their skin, after all I had come from Nigeria unscathed by any stigma...completely comfortable in my skin. They would be aloof amongst their peers, ready to compete on the international stage without any social constructs hunting them in the wings. When I reflect upon these thoughts now in the comfort of my bedroom, I suddenly realise that this is not necessarily a good thing. Yes growing up in country like Nigeria doesn't present you with social constructs as one would experience in the western societies, however, does that prepare you to for the eventualities you encounter when you go out there? (Because you will, as is the nature of most youths from Africa) I was reading Thisdayonline's latest headlines this evening (I know I said I wouldn't touch on recent events...and i really must stop all these silly side comments) and the story that struck me was the one about Nigerian falling to pieces tomorrow...a story run by some insignificant tabloid in some backwater county in the US. Yet it made the headlines in a major newspaper, not only a news leader in Nigeria but across the continent. Hmmmmm.... I was not quite sure what to make of it really. Even if their horrible predictions were true, what are we to do? I must admit to Nigeria's dire future and my feelings of concern at the speed at which the country seems to be heading towards this waterloo. I agree that if Nigeria fails, it will bring down the entire region causing untold horrors. Sigh. Why are our leaders so wicked? Or are they so stupid? Are we living up to a stereotype? I must admit naiveté on a lot of issues. I have been naive with respect to relationships, crucial decisions, and perception of the environment I find myself in and even love. Does this naiveté make me stupid? Was each erroneous action a statement of who I am? As I ask these questions, I query the very essence of nature and even the social construct that make up the mechanics of this society. Is the African question a consequence of this naiveté?

Double standards!!

What is it about Double standards that absolutely pisses me off? We experience it in our everyday lives, from the way we wrinkle our noses at criminals to even going to church on Sundays. Its a new week for me and my week has just begun with events that surround this issue.
The news today has been overcome with stories of English soccer superstar Wayne Rooney's 700,000 pound debt incurred from gambling. Of all the absurd conclusions made today, i would say that the most annoying was the television commentator who referred to the amount of starving children in Africa that amount of money could save. Fair enough that money could go a long way in some parts of the world, but since when was it a twenty something year old boy's job to save the world? How dare anyone complain about how a young man spends his hard earned money? Don't we all indulge in activities our finances can't deal with in reality? I think back to my recent spending spree in London last weekdend and i still shudder. In my opinion, the young man has earned his money and deserves to be left alone to make his mistakes. My grouse here would be the mis-directed attention of the media from issues that hold a higher relevance to the stability of society re: the stories of the American govt launching nuclear weapons against Iran. Surely that sentence in itself says it all.....
On a lighter note, my boss at work revealed details of a dirty weekend she had....Away from her boyfriend. Not knowing how to react, i laughed it off hoping she wouldn't see my horror. What struck me then was our ability as human beings to quickly assume that other people's actions against norms of society are wrong and distasteful but meanwhile we all indulge ourselves in one way or the other. Have we never cheated in a relationship? and looking counts.....
Regardless of the way we see things, it is apparently inherent in human beings to hold double standards; often preaching do as I say and not do as I do. We may not all be in powerful government offices to activate and de-activate wars but yet we vote in these people, does this say anything about us? We may not all be cavorting young women liasing with sexy dark dangerous strangers, but do we want to deep down inside? If we earned 500,000pounds a month, would our spending habits change drastically? The questions could go on and on but I will stop here, and refuse to go on!!!!

A world without borders???

I have just come off the phone from Eniola who yammered on about her forthcoming trip to the US..(Sour Grapes). Its half past eleven and I should be getting to bed for no good reason as I don't have to be up early tomorrow. I suppose I will go to bed in a while as soon as i suppress this feeling of guilt as a result of my not putting my all into looking for a job, what was it they said about the ant and the summer?
I haven't exactly been the model of hard work today, considering the fact that i spent a perfectly good day at home just relaxing, sleeping, eating, cooking, and faffing around. I did however get some work done on my essay on groups and belonging. I also managed to go to mass...Still feel guilty though. What is it about not being in your country that does things to your sense of security? One would imagine that with the world becoming a global village and all, things would be easier with regards to travel and migration. Afterall, isn't all of this down to geography? Or more recently a passport?
A friend of mine rang me with dreadful stories of the heartache she suffered recently in the hands of her boyfriend. Story is...
She: British born Nigerian, in love and stupidly hands over her passport to him shortly before he dumps her to marry his real beau in Nigeria..
He: Nigerian born Nigerian (tee hee), sharp guy, from the story she tells, makes off with her passport and marries his beau three thousand miles away...
My guilty secret is that i discussed this issue with two people however, the interesting factor of the issue was the relevance of the passport in all of this. I mean, its just a little red book...or is it not?
No doubt, the state of global affairs have now shown that geography IS important and subsequently the documentation to back up your claims. For some, this means life carries on as usual, for others; its a slightly different story. For third worlder's like myself, your passport becomes your burden. Just another factor for discrimination. This is where the more desperate of the lot come in. Employing any tactics necessary, some would rather cheat, lie or steal to get one of the coveted passports of a country belonging to the "good" side of town. My argument is this; if we focused more on bettering our respective countries, we wouldn't have to lie, cheat or steal to get someone else's passport. As in the eternal words to British PM Tony Blair, Only Africans can make Africa better. Whilst my friend goes over her couldashouldawoulda's, i can only pity her grave error in trusting and loving someone in a desperate situation; a third worlder like myself.
As i fill out job applications online, the recurring field that strikes me as most interesting is the section where you are expected to fill out your nationality. Even before you can prove your mettle with regards to the job, you are sieved out. As i mentioned in my essay for uni, groups are an integral part of society's mechanics. You either belong in the right one or are out in the wrong one. Whilst the issues of ID cards and passports do well to establish the existence of groups in our societies, they also do well to establish borders in an already cynical world. However necessary these documents are, i am of the school of thought that believes in a world where the focus is on equating the different societies instead of creating borders and demacations.

Lion King...the pride of Africa!

I have just returned from London where I went to see the phenomenal show "The Lion King". As my good friend Eniola put it, it was nice to see a super show featuring black people in primary roles in a seriously African themed story! However, the message I got from the play was one of the current state of the Africa question. Its plot suggested an ever present situation of insecurity and instability present across the continent, its protagonist; a mythical liberator still to make an appearance in reality. Is this far off the point?
The Charles Taylor affair, an international incident that bordered on disaster highlights this issue. While the parties involved have once again managed to bungle (each in their own way) another international situation, perhaps the happy ending in this case is the eventual trial of Mr. Taylor (the butcher of West Africa- our very own scar) presently going on in The Hague. However, the side issues of how this situation was handled presents many unanswered questions, some terribly important for the future of the continent. Did the Nigerian government have a hand in Mr. Taylor's near escape? Could the American government be accused of meddling and fucking things up...utterly? What on earth was the Liberian government thinking?
It is funny how the Nigerian government once again received flak for the way this situation was handled (but then again, perhaps the turn of events was the expected one) however, everyone seems to forget that the Nigerian government single handedly rescued the region from a seemingly deadlocked situation. And as for the Liberian governments' inability to make up its mind, pandering to please never helped anyone. I would imagine the paramount priority for a government saddled with running a failed state would be nation building and not digging up old wounds or running around in circles. Do not misunderstand; I am no pro-Taylor idiot; who can be? I only believe that things should be done at the right time and the Liberian governments' idiocy with the handling of this situation was/is completely unforgivable. Naturally, the fact that the US once again exercised its hegemony casts a shadow on the whole process of nation building and humanitarian reconstruction.
This world is not fair no doubt. The future of the African continent in its entirety certainly is a dire one. Regardless of the roots of the problems faced in that part of the world, the fact remains that its timone and pumba-esque attitudes to growth and development are not helping. Perhaps one day in the to-be-honest distant future, Africans might experience resurgence in patriotism and togetherness required to build a continent capable of anything it sets it mind on.

Whilst i can ramble on forever about my Africa, i best be off to bed now. After spending a fortune in london on price seats at the theatre, dinner, trendy bars and the best lattes in the world; i have to be up early to put in some overtime at work tomorrow and sunday to meet up financially. I will be honest that is what this country gives you...a zest to make money!!!!

the joys of the African Youth...Archive!!!

the joys of the African Youth!
I can’t believe that I have not put in any entries in my blog in the last week or two. I suppose it is understandable as I have been incredibly busy in the last week. I’ve managed to turn in all my course work at university, meet up to my obligations with work (paid job) and meet up to my obligations with reference to the university newspaper. Now I am just relaxing to some good music and expressing.
This brings me to the funny thing that’s been on my mind all week. Earlier in the week, as we walked home from the train station, I chatted to my Tanzanian friend on the plight of the African youth. Whilst in his/her country, he/she is subjected to utter hopelessness…and the situation doesn’t change much when he/she comes to “greener pastures”. I was of the opinion that more African youths needed to take charge of their lives and focus on empowering themselves as is done here. The chap I was talking to, after a couple of minutes of talk soon made me realize that the African youth really didn’t have a choice in terms of empowerment, his/her future prospects was indeed a dire one. Its funny how, when we experience life differently we loose touch with the “other side” of life. Even though I argued differently on that night, I suppose I could consider myself fortunate to have experienced so much in my short life. I remember my first job at the ministry of works and housing not very far from where I lived. It was a bit of a joke really, all my friends at the time couldn’t fathom the reasons behind my working at this utterly dull un-sexy place. I went on to two more jobs from then on and I don’t regret one moment of it however, did I go through this experiences as a result of my being a talented young man with foresight and good karma or is that the opportunity awaiting every young African who reaches out for it?
Speaking to another friend earlier today gave the answer to that question. We Africans have refused to face up to the fact that our society is failing and will continue to do so as we ignore our problems. This friend of mine, poor chap, incredibly brilliant and talented; gave me a sad account of his experience at the hands of a visa officer at the American Embassy in Nigeria. Regardless of the situation around his application, the fact remains that this young man was desperate, a situation evident to the interviewer! This sad occurrence is common place as foreigners are now aware of our dirty linen, our under privileged youth!
A few minutes ago, best mate Eniola rang me with awful news of a friend’s passing, a young lady not much older than us. Does this day anything about the future of the African youth? I fear for the future…..

It only comes with age...Archive!!!

It only comes with age!
How do you know when you get older? Do you suddenly wake up one day, realizing you know it all or didn’t up until that moment? Do you suddenly slow down and have to rely on a stick? Is your musical preference referred to as dated on the hip music channels or does the average age of everyone around you fall a good five years short of yours?
Recently at work, my new team leader Emma announced her upcoming birthday and subsequently her age. She would be turning twenty. Twenty! I didn’t know what to make of it. Even though I might just be a couple of years past that, I don’t even remember what it is like to be twenty, I mean, is it legal? If prior to that moment I had felt like a spring chicken, then my transition to papa cock complete with the waddle was done. The funniest part of the episode however, was the reaction of the other members of my “team”. A completely multi-cultural group of mostly young people, the sense of resentment I got at the mention of such a young age was shocking. Why? And is that such a daft question?
Across the country and the weekend before, I had gone up to London to see the musical les misrebles with family friends Eniola and Funmi. As we chatted noisily and strolled down Shaftsbury Avenue, the issue of age came up once again. This was understandable as Eniola had a birthday coming up the following weekend and the truth is she would be turning an evil age. We came to the conclusion that we had all gotten old and a new generation had come to conquer, of course, it all felt better when we slagged off the younger generation’s bad taste in everything! As the artistry of the cast played out in front of me during the show, my mind drifted back to the conversation I’d had with my friends earlier. This whole issue of age and growing old surely must be a thing of the mind or possibly the impact of the society we’d found ourselves in.
My conversation with housemate Sean two nights ago seemed to drive home the point about the changing times and one’s advancement with age. He was of the opinion, that younger was better in terms of a partner that is. End of! Of course I disagreed vehemently, champion of the aging that I am. Despite our two hour argument and Sean’s recount of his past liaison’s to drive home his point, his mind was made up; And if I am to be totally honest, same as most red blooded men in this world.
In the run up to the Oscars, British actress Kiera Knightley complained of the ageism practiced in Hollywood, to my annoyance. Wake up honey; it’s the very same thing back home in merry old London! The events of the past week prove this to considerable effect. Coming from a society where age is revered and welcomed with almost reckless abandon, this reversal of roles of perceived good and bad comes as a shock to me. Something I find very difficult to comprehend. Does this however, explain away the seeming success of this society as opposed to the more traditional system of the developing world? Can what the developed world have be best described as success in the first place? As much as I hate to admit it, I am beginning to sound like silly old toad that, way past his middle age has resorted to slagging off the up and coming. With this suddenly realized emphasis on youth as a measuring cup in this part of the world, I can only ask myself “what’s in it for me?” Am I scared? Yes, do I think my prospects are greatly reduced? Yes. Do I think I am crinkly and old with faded looks? Not on your life baby! But seriously, in an ageist society such as this; how am I meant to compete with a freckle face nineteen year old fresh out of the baby making machine! Not only am I black and African but old too?
Feminism mostly argues that gender, race, age and class are social constructs and I agree completely. To survive and succeed in today’s world, you have to be ready to get dirty and play it as it comes. Most importantly, you must be prepared to do your own thing; this thing not necessarily conformist to societies' mechanics. And how have I learned all of this? Only with age of course! One thing society cannot argue with is the natural ability humans have to learn with time, a vital ingredient of success. So despite having a nineteen year old supervisor at work, friends who are somewhat fearful of the certainty of life or a need for young blood apparently inherent in my gender; I can carry on to my destination knowing that my journey is not one of dire straits but one of my own construct. and the most important factor? I can only get there by getting old, or can’t I?

broke back love...Archive!!!

broke back love!
Despite my busy schedule, I made time out to watch broke Back Mountain otherwise known as the gay cowboy movie….and yes it shocked me out of my skin like it did everyone else. Where do you start with things like this? Its cast and producers are to be applauded for their bravery and novelty. And with Oscar just a couple of days away, I daresay they will be rewarded for their efforts. Despite my glowing review of this movie, I can only reflect on a message the movie exudes, something that seems to have been ignored completely by its viewer ship, even by myself. This message was first brought to my attention by a TIME reader who pointed out the effects of the movie’s plot on wives of the main characters. After watching the movie, I could see what she saw. Yes the guys were in “love”. Yes, the plot was touching. Yes, we live in a cruel world; however…their wives seemed to be forgotten in all of this. A string of broken hearts and disrupted lives are what I saw as the after effects of this outré liaison, could that sort of “love” have been true? And if so, was it such a good thing, considering its doomed certainty!
I’m not sure if this movie preceded or permeated the topical discussions of lavender marriages in the UK and the outing of the politicians involved in them, but this just goes to show how people’s lives are affected by these “arrangements”; ignoring the circus the media made out of it. It is time people became less judgmental and focused on the things that are important to the growth of our societies; just imagine if these people were not ousted; would it change our perception on their abilities?
As a young man in my twenties, I don’t believe in love. In whatever form it presents itself. Some call it naivety, others say denial but I still stick to my argument that love is for shmucks. It after all is a situation that leaves you with a future of couldawoulashoulda’s no? If we are all meant to fall in love but not with certain people, surely that rubbishes the very idea of the spontaneous uncontrollable feeling that is meant to be inherent in us. Or are we just conforming to society?
Sigh. I’m off to bed. A full day at uni and a six hour shift has left me knackered. Am off to bed!
P.s was in London and saw Les Miserables there which was fantastic.

Truth Don Die....Archive!!!!

Truth Don Die!!
As I write this, I can’t help but smile at the poignancy of the song I’m listening to with reference to the Nigerian situation. I am listening to Femi Kuti’s “Truth don die” hit from the acclaimed 2000 album, shoki shoki! In this album, femi uses his art of musical ensemble and fury laced lyrics to expose the intricate workings of the Nigerian/ African society in a brutally honest manner. Not that it is such a bad thing. “Truth don die” roughly translates from local Nigerian parlance as the death of truth….as you’ve probably made out already. That seems to be the crux of the Nigerian situation. Common to most Nigerian/ Africans abroad, the alarming news coming out of the continent has filled me with great concern (Nigeria in particular). Not that the country has experienced a dramatic change in either direction as history will clearly point out but one should be wary of the change in tone of a well told story. My friend Chude Jideonwo, a bright young lawyer in the making and current affairs aficionado recently came up with the bright idea of recognizing young achievers in the country through his organization redstrat’s brainchild- “the future Nigeria”. The original idea was to have an event for young people between the ages of 18 and 31, some sort of teen choice awards if you like. Fortunately or unfortunately, it didn’t quite work out as planned following an introduction of participants who have crossed that generational gap already (some have kids in that generation!). Despite a faulty theme, considering the nature of the Nigerian society and the age bracket of the successful, the idea is noble and apparently well received. However, it is only fair to point out that the “Nigerian situation” has rendered these special recognition awards redundant as the case may be. Call me a purveyor of bad tidings, but I am of the school of thought who believes in tackling problems and not dusting the dirt under the carpet. Here we have a country faced with a bleak future in every ramification and a youth population completely abandoned by its predecessors, surely it is quite clear to see the absurdity in recognizing a select few who are not in any way representative of the group my friend so tries to promote. To think that I aim to knock the whole “future Nigeria” thing would be to completely miss my point. I can only commend chude on his efforts; after all, here we have a twenty year old thinking way ahead of his time and space. The boy has done well. However, I knock the whole Nigerian mentality of dusting under the carpet and leaving the job unfinished. Another reference to buttress my point would be the “annual thisday awards”, which just marked its eleventh edition a few weeks ago. It’s glassed over varnish of glitz and glamour did nothing to divert attention from the fact that this supposedly “honorable” avenue of recognition has completely missed the point in the journey to a better Nigeria. What have the recipients done to deserve recognition? A nation in the twentieth century without basic utilities, an uneducated population and a demoralized youth population, surely my argument is clear to see. It is a shame that in the wretchedness of their own self importance, they (the older generation)cannot see the trail of despair and hopelessness they have left behind for their “future”. These situations would quite normally prompt thought provoking questions like, is this some sort of plague to Nigerians? Or even for Africans or/and third world countries?
In last week’s TIME magazine, an article featured a write up on the new booming India and the fact that the vast majority of its business elite and celebrities seemed to live abroad. The writer raised a thought provoking question, saying “is there something about the Indian environment that discourages achievement?” Reading that article, I could identify with it in so many ways. As a young media practitioner in the making, I live in mortal fear of going back to Nigeria and not being able to practice; having to compromise with one desk job or the other. The other option would be unthinkable, surely that means I am a sell out to my argument? The bane of the third world remains the in-conducive environment and faulty bureaucracy common to these countries. Despite all of this, India seems to be doing quite well out of all of this. With the entry of global players like chanel and vogue into its system, stopovers by bands like U2 and Indian businesses like Lakshmi Mittal’s Mittal Steel investing in Europe; India seems to be on the right track. Better off than the rest of the third world anyway. So what are they doing right? Or what are we doing wrong?
I agree completely with chude, the Nigerian youth is the key and the few who manage to get a head start deserve a nod to inspire the rest. To get the rest of the generation in the race, we need to mobilize ourselves as a people. We need to learn what the others have learned and then beat them at it. We have to say no more to glossing over and glitzy finishes over bad wood. Today India has one Lakshimi Mittal, tomorrow they will have dozens more and the whole world knows it. Nigeria needs to borrow a leaf out of India’s books, who knows; maybe in the next thirty years Femi Kuti would have to search elsewhere for his musical inspiration!

Not as bad as it seems.....Archive!!!

Not as bad as it seems.....
A couple of minutes ago, I was just watching Hit breakfast show "this morning" showing on ITV day and on the show, Philip schofield and Fern Britton were discussing student debts. To buttress their point, they had on a couple whose son (a student at the Swansea institute) had just committed suicide as a result of what looked like a burdensome financial situation. It was a gruesome story and that’s the undisputed truth. I could only imagine what his parents were going through, having gone through a similar experience last year with Ivana's near fatality (or failed suicide attempts)! However, the story didn't quite click with me. I could only wonder why someone would actually go through with ‘IT’ over student loans and unpaid bills as a student. I mean, the boy was only 19 or 20 with years ahead of him....could there have been more to the story? Perhaps this lack of understanding was as a result of our cultural differences or societal background!
Its no longer news that the UK is coping with an entire generation already in debt before they hit thirty but the unfortunate reality is the alternative exemplified with the very presence of international students here in the UK. Forced to leave their respective countries as a result of the appalling educational standards there(or other reasons), these students have to cough out up to ten times the amount the British or home students have to pay in fees...yours truly not excluded! Not that I have a valid reason of complaint, after all there's always the alternative of our under funded, mis-managed universities in Nigeria. My good friend Alex (lucky bugger is holidaying in London as usual) who’s just graduated from the University of Lagos in Nigeria told me the hilarious story of his graduation and their graduation gowns. Disregard the fact that some of the would be graduates just found out on the graduation day that they would not be graduating that year (personally I don’t believe that bit), the lucky few who got confirmation of their places at the momentous occasion promptly set out to get the necessary accessories for the event, a graduation gown sitting right at the top of the list. According to standard procedure, they rented the gowns for a certain amount; also paying in a deposit for the safe return of the precious gowns. After the ceremony, all sauntered down to the office to turn in the gowns in return for their deposited funds as was the agreement. As should have been expected, they met a different story when they got there. The secretary or office assistant or whatever adjective they use nowadays promptly refused to pay out the deposits in protest for the students “wickedness”. In her opinion, their failure to tender a part of their celebratory victuals as homage to her important office only incurred her wrath (in this case a refusal to refund their deposits). Typical of students anywhere in the world, they promptly called her a fucking thief and reported her to her superior who arranged a refund. The moral of the story? Amongst other things, don't bite off more than you can chew!
On a serious note, its about time British students realized how good they have it. In Nigerian Local parlance, a lot of money goes into making good soup! Education is a priceless commodity that really should be valued more than it is now, just taking a look at ghettos from around the world. At the moment there are Nigerian students in the UK in worse situations, I personally know a girl who is 14,000pounds in debt as a result of a dramatic change of fortunes experienced by her sponsors in Nigeria. With no loans or grants in sight, she has no choice but to carry on. They (British students) should also be grateful for the opportunities afforded them in the forms of various loans and grants. Of course it could be argued that citizens deserve the best possible from their governments but in times like these, one look at the have not's helps in the realization of the fact that your situation might not be as bad as it seems.........

New Dawn!!

What is it about new beginnings we all seem to have difficulties coping with? Perhaps it’s the fore knowledge of its impending failure, inherent in all of us! The knowledge not the failure I mean. We all seem to come across these "new beginnings" stages in our lives, and in some cases, cope quite well with it. New school, new job, new relationship? For me, I'm not so sure. There's been the New Year and its typical resolutions....Oh I’ll loose weight (or gain some as in my case), take things easy, be more focused and loads more tripe! I remember when I was moving over to the UK for uni, I was filled with excitement and expectation...pretty much the same way a child would before his/her birthday. I'd laid out all my plans, detailed all the things I’d do in the first year....see jemiroquai and/or the cranberries play live, travel to Prague for the summer, etc. Now at my computer a year later, I feel rotten that I didn't do those things. That's not to say that I didn't try to, but somehow, it.... well we all know how these things work out!
This New Year marked new beginnings for all around me in some way or the other. For best mate Eniola (I’ve know her for over twenty years), new plans, new goals...and the best part is she has started carrying them out already...bugger! For funny girlfriend keji (not her real name), a definite focus on relocating back to Nigeria this year. I suppose it really doesn't matter where you fulfill them dreams, its just doing it in the first place. Can you blame her? She’s absolutely convinced that there would always be barriers of various shapes and sizes in this country....her accent, her degrees, her passport, the color of her skin? Some could argue that, barriers are only where you place them, an argument that rings true but still remains contestable. Ex mentor of mine, Nigerian TV girl Funmi used to tell me that the bumble bee flew despite the laws of nature prohibiting its flight! Perhaps, but would the story be the same if it had a Nigerian passport in 2006?
Despite all that has been said about this country (United Kingdom), I have learned some valuable lessons, key to success in the future. If you say you can, you will! Key ingredients here include focus and determination. Inspiration could be anything from the rather trivial X factor to the boy with the million dollar page website!
Thirty days after I made up my mind to be focused and determined in my goals for the year (including gaining weight); I’ve just woken up to realize that I’ve not started! Bad news is that I’m slightly behind schedule on my plans; good news is I’ve woken up to actualize my “reality”! With good grades and planned holidays on the cards, I can't go wrong if I stay on track, no?
P.s On a pleasant note, Africa welcomed brilliant new beginnings by electing its first female President, Ellen Johnson...you go Liberia!!!!!

A Bug's Life!!

Despite the seeming silliness of what I’m about to say, watching that movie was fascinating for me. Surely you can see why...considering the quality of production, the artistry of it all....sighs, art can be so intimidating. Anyway, the real lesson for me was learning how complicated life could be...or not be. Bugs are fascinating creatures, so organized and understanding in hierarchy. Most important of all, they know what to do, when to do it and when not to!
Last year when uni started amidst a lot of hassle for me (stuff I’ll go into at another time), everything looked set to be a great year ahead. Best mates Mike and Rebecca quickly settled in and were carrying on with the usual...cinema, concerts, you name it! There were also the Nigerians, all trying to look as busy as possible, trying to be in each other’s business as usual (pooh to that!). And finally my new housemates were revealed! Four in total, there was Andy and Lizzy! I'll be honest I was a bit unsure when I met them as they seemed shy and dressed almost gothic, not like that’s a bad thing if you get what I mean. Of course they turned out to be absolutely lovely, making their withdrawal form uni all the more difficult for me. I'll admit that I was expecting it which is rather curious but it's funny how nothing prepares for eventualities. Anyway, that said they've gone home and left uni to...maybe next year!
Then there were the French gals Mimi and Ivana! Fascinatingly beautiful, exotic in a European way and definitely friendly. At least while they were here! Cutting the long story short (that’s for another day), Ivana tried to kill herself and Mimi had to take her home to France! Did I mention that she tried to do it three times? It was an awful experience, filling us (at the time all five housemates were complete) with all sorts of couldawoulashoulda's! Sigh
Anyway, back to the bugs. It’s funny how they seem to know what to do, where to go and most importantly when to! It’s also funny how we human's, big and mighty and all don't. We're all full of insecurities in one way or the other. For Andy and Lizzy, it could have been a new environment or Andy’s artistry mixed with lizzy's love for him....for Mimi and Ivana it could have been the harsh drabbiness of the welsh outback their cultured French sensibilities could not cope with....and for me? Sigh once again! For me, I think I never had the luxury of that feeling in my life....and you know the scariest part? Maybe I’ll never have it!