Kudos to Osun State

A modest applause to Osun state govt. for sending 50 graduates for 

18 months-training on mechanized farming, in Germany.

They,on return,will impart same in others.

This is quite expedient and I wish we see huge benefits to that state in a few year's time!

............

Meanwhile an 80yr old man has been appointed the chairman of a federal government parastatal....mmmgh.

A Minister to Watch

Dr Akinwumi Adesina of Agriculture has been bringing novel but productive ideas to that sector.

Hope it gets better.

Your Real Self

Success brings out the real character of a person; same with poverty.

Africans - A Need for Self Belief

At a book-reading event in Lagos, Nigeria, let us picture a South African 

(Antjie Krog) reading from her bestseller book on Truth and Reconciliation Hearings. It was organized by a local group on the Arts.

A renowned female Nigerian journalist - Chris Anyanwu, now a Nigerian Senator - who was incarcerated during the infamous Abacha Military Government of Nigeria also paired with her on stage. 

She too had her own turn to read from her book based on her prison experience. 

It appeared as a truly balanced set up.

Photography and Patience: The Ethereal Light

Making an apparently simple image may be a test of patience, luck, perseverance and courage, in the midst of risk (at times). 

Practitioners of the photographic art are very much aware of this scenario. 

For instance, I have gone through the experience of making a photograph that took me a year!

African Leaders Mindset

There are little things some African leaders should be subjected to before taking over power. They should be tutored to be appreciative, of 'little things', which the creator has bestowed on the continent.

Without a vision, a people perish. Little things begat great things. They need to sit back and think hard for once, especially those countries that are in different shades of turmoil. 

Genetically Modified Babies

Human beings made from an assembly line like cars? I ask

What is the limit of our action?

Labour, Youths and Values

What is the perception of young people today about work and values? 

Without batting an eyelid, will some of them help themselves to the public purse, if given the chance and flaunt the ill-gotten money to the 'less smarter' ones?

Learning From Nature Secrets

Let us give a thought to those wonders of nature we regard to as 'little' things.

For instance, a flower bud conjures up a feeling of beauty and tranquility.

 It is one of the wonders of nature. 

Depending on how we appreciate our surroundings, the positive aspect and manifestation of nature would be a very good antidote to the depletion of mental energy. 

Stress and Time Out

There are those times you just really want to unwind, having gone through a busy work schedule. 

So I found myself at a popular art gallery in Ikoyi, a high brow area of Lagos, which also provides additional facilities for live music.

Lagos: Jail Term Driving Against Traffic

Are the signs well marked?

Are the signs well positioned?

Are the signs completely installed across the state?

Our Icon of Heritage

An icon is a famous person, thing or a place.

You can be sure which part of the world you are, if you unknowingly find yourself within the vicinity of places as Olumo rocks, the old Kano city wall, the Eiffel Tower, the Basilica, the Red Square, the Big Ben, the Taj Mahal and the rest.

What Works for Africans

Africans have come a long way. 

Now is the time to start re-thinking about their values of old, despite the infusion of foreign cultures and going by the fallout of the well worn cliché: the "world is a global village".

Nigerians Fighting for God?

Going by the under-current fight for political and ethnic supremacy,

religion has quickly become a "weapon" to use.

One religion is intimidating and the other is patronizing while those who brought these good messages have a much higher state of human development in their clime.

They are discovering new frontiers.

(Yet again, a people about now are exploring planet Mars-a handiwork of His Majesty.

Artistic Practice, Appreciation and The Influence of the Public

My reflections - as an exhibiting artist - on the Viewer Participant/Artist Methodology employed during the 5th Gwangju Biennale, South Korea in 2004. 

(An experiment where an artist was paired with a non-artist during the production process of an art work)

Nigerian Christianity with a Swagger!

Show your own Bombardier.

Show your own Gulfstream.

Air-condition your gigantic "temple"

Just a minute...Lorddddddd

A Light in The Horizon

The Lagos State Waste Management generates electricity from dump site, supplying nearby Ikosi market.

How noble, how satisfying.

We Break Own Rules

Everybody breaks the rule, this includes the uneducated and the so-called

 "The Lettered" amongst us!

Everybody throws his weight around if he gets the opportunity - as I have observed - no matter his station in life.

Tourism in Nigeria

My trip to Abeokuta in 2006:

I suppose there is nothing new for me to say about the Olumo rock formations in Abeokuta, a town in South West, Nigeria. 

Abeokuta, literarily means 'under the rocks'.

A place of history for the Egba people - a Yoruba ethnic group.

Terrorism

Now it is the turn of Newspaper houses, football viewing centre and what have you...

In my church - even in Lagos - we now get frisked before we worship (wise not to complain)

And all we hear is "we are on top of the matter".

Simple insult. 

God have mercy.

Palestine and Israel

Can anyone please direct me to an online link of objective overview - neither from an American, Israeli nor Arab.

I am asking about the origin and the underlining cause of the protracted Palestine - Israeli conflict in the modern times?

...sans the Biblical history (I have read that)

Thanks.

............

I feel for both.

But it is a complicated world !

Expensive Sermon

2 Million Naira for a chopper hop.

To give a sermon.

And my Lord wept.

Let us pray for Nigeria.

Nurturing Global Disequilibrium

This brings to our consciousness, issues concerning the ever rising level of inequality prevalent in our times with its attendant fallout and imbalance within our global system.

This has had its roots within the basic units of human co-existence experienced at our different localities and as such has naturally extended beyond, to a multi-level of inter-relationships across national boundaries. 

The Commander

I remember a GREAT NIGERIAN MUSIC ICON today:

Chief Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi- the Commander.

Wishing him more beautiful years on earth; many more healthy and rewarding years ahead, Amen.

Our own Nat King Cole?

It noteworthy that the likes of Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr had had cause to show practical love to this unique musical artiste while he is still alive.

Fear

Fear is Man's way of self preservation. 

Therefore, every sensible mortal fears when such a situation arises!

Every sensible mortal acts to eliminate or reduce impact of a fearful situation  that is bound to happen.

Africa, Equity, And The Golden Rule

Things have gone wrong: one will not dispute that. Africa's problems are more rooted in a vicious cycle of misplaced values and low-esteem we have of ourselves.

It is not absolutely a matter of research papers, ad hoc bodies, and policy formulations per se. We have been having all that.

Africa's Prosperity Goals: A Cultural Perspective

Commission for Africa (CFA), one is made to understand is the brainchild of His Excellency, the UK Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair. Another initiative geared towards arriving at a set of policies meant to get Africa out of its economic doldrums.

Art Appreciation - A Right To Know

Looking at the colourful traditional robes of some singing men from Northern Nigeria, in Africa, no two are the same. 

The robes are adorned with different patterns and colours. Possibly the indigenous designers are conveying different messages. How did they arrive at these varied patterns and color combinations one may ask? 

The Joy of Giving

The act of giving and the joy so derived. 

The act of giving is a reward to the genuine giver and also to the receiver. 

Both will be at peace in no time. 

Giving does not necessarily mean only money. 

Giving simply means letting go part of what you have in abundance. 

Africa and Air Mishap - Our Distorted Values

Imagine you are so pleased with yourself trying to take a photograph of the scenery over the Sahara Desert.

Through the window of a commercial flight inbound to an African country; such thought could only have arisen in an atmosphere devoid of anxiety over a possible impending crash.

So you fidget with your camera.

Holocaust, Genocide and More Questions

Friends!

I ask... as I do reflect at times and especially at this season.
Why did The Creator allow the holocaust and the genocide amongst the Rwandan become some innocent people's reality...children inclusive?
Such helpless massive hatred.

Foreign Business Having A Field Day

Severed limbs on the factory floor,unpaid salaries,capital flight,blindness from industrial fumes,exposure to toxic chemicals, detention of workers and now a new one:literarily kicking out a 7 month pregnancy by a foreigner!

The President as reported, has stepped in.

This is not about being xenophobic but the law must dispense justice.

These rascals would not allow a Nigerian carry out such acts in their country: granted some of us-highly placed- sell our conscience for the paltry to cover up.
We are watching...

Forgiveness As A Self-Centred Attribute

Forgiveness is good for self preservation.

When you forgive, your soul, body and mind definitely benefit more than otherwise.

Forgiveness does not necessarily mean forgetting. The event happened!

The cliche "forgive and forget" is a wrong principle for me.

I guess it means, don't dwell on it and so you want to move on.

Depending on the individual and the severity of the bad experience, the thought may linger on or future events might kill it in your mind.

That will be nice.

Amy Winehouse July 24, 2011

The West allows freedom of expression in all areas of human

endeavor,but at times this cultural tendency could result in excesses.

A young lady as Amy, in the real African context would have been

reprimanded of her excesses right from the first day.

Of course,the conservative nature of the truly Africans could make

things unexciting and boring at times.

Is Juba Prophesying?

1) Are the "disapponting" but wasteful events in Juba showing a possible future enactment IF we allow the devolution of the Nigerian Structure... 

Imagine the Ijebu fighting the Egba...Hausa fighting the Fulani...Izon fighting Ijaw etc?

2) or what is happening in Southern Sudan, a portrayal that we Africans can not do things right?

3) or, are there some foreign interests who have infiltrated the settling down of this youngest nation on earth, for selfish gains?

Maybe not.

The West and Nigeria's Sexuality

Good to read that the President has signed the sexuality bill to law.

Granted this sexual condition is as old as Man,(even there is a lexicon for it in my own Yoruba tribe).

Today, granted some would fall for this fad for nefarious reasons, I guess the West should let Africans be.

Self Belief

There comes a time your sense of judgement is doubted even by those who are your loved ones. By your kith and kin.

Some simply feel you are incapable of coming to a reasonable conclusion on resolving a serious matter.

They might be right. They may also be wrong. Why? 

Simply because they have not allowed their own soul think through the issue at hand.

They could have simply judged you based on past assumptions, whatever.

They could have judged on a wrong assumption that since you have approached them for an input, that will mean,you don't have a clue.

He'd Rather Not Shut His Eyes To See

A funny one at this season,I quote:

"So, you converted to Christianity?
I never did! But while I was working in the church, I changed my name to Francis Olayiwola Olagunju but I left the church after I was accused of not closing my eyes during prayer sessions. 

I told the pastor I would never close my eyes, because I want to be the first person to see Jesus Christ and receive blessings when He comes" culled from ONTV

Not As You Think

Life has taught me, not to rush to being judgemental even as I need to follow my subjective  instincts.

We don't always know the whole story.

Some appear readily. Some are decoys. Some could be the truth, but we may not know. 

But a decision has to be made.

Beyond Fuel Price Increase

In 2003, I read the book " Globalization and Its Discontents" by Joseph E. Stiglitz.

A few points stuck in my mind ever since.

1. A nation could do without an IMF/international monetary institution frame work.

Amongst the comity of nations, a nation ought to develop its own unique economic philosophy.

2. Certain fiscal/monetary policies are better implemented gradually, towards final completion rather being rushed through.

Feeling Celestial

Friends.

I am feeling celestial this p.m.
and so as it rings in my mind, I quote.

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven"

Leadership Not for Kids

Leadership is not a playground for kindergartens.

It's a serious game for adults.

Pigmentation Complex

Why must I speak English with a foreign accent?

Why do my brothers and sisters get excited when a foreigner speaks their local language and dons their traditional apparel?

Did the Almighty not create variety?

The Walk That Breaks His Inertia

A not-so-confused entrepreneur came to me the other day. He told me.
"I want to start this business but so many things are going on in my brain and time is of the essence. And I don't have funds. But I know what to do profitably. There are obligations to be met"

"So?" I asked. 

Power and Times

There will be a time you have all the power, even more than needed to solve a problem.
There will also be a time as much as you strongly desire, you can't do a thing.
You are simply powerless.
And what do you do at the latter? You seek help around you. You may be favored. Problem solved.
Otherwise, there is nothing to do except to nurture hope and maybe a miracle will come if that will come.

I have read and seen that Man can be helpless in certain circumstances beyond their control.
And on the flip side, things just go the way you want it and for the humble, you pinch yourself and mutter to yourself  "Can this really be me?"

Celebrities In Adverts

I have enjoyed looking at two star actors in a T.V. advert sponsored by a major telecommunication company while I struggled to understand what is being offered.

Is that money down the drain? I don't know.