Editor’s note: Kofoworola Ayodeji, Naij.com
guest author, laments a fact that the people
who contribute enormously to the positive
international image of Nigeria are celebrated
all over the world, but do not receive proper
respect and honour at their motherland.
Story highlights:
– “… I was heartbroken that Nigeria
does not admire and celebrate her own
sons and daughters demonstrating
uncommon excellence in their areas of
interest.”
– “… Taiwo Akinkunmi, the designer of
the Nigerian flag… was honoured a
national award only after decades of
neglect. Isn’t that disgraceful?”
– “When they [the notable people] are
honoured as deemed fit, this inspires
and gives hope to the younger
generation… In case of Nigeria, the
situation is exactly opposite.”
– “Please, tell me, who deserve the
Order for Meritorious Service if not the
outstanding and patriotic Nigerians? “
– “Our best brains must be encouraged,
not depressed!”
An Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, has
recently been awarded by the US Congress
for his enormous contribution to music, and
political activism. I received the news with
the mixed feelings — excitement on one hand
and anger on the other. I was excited
because the music legend was remembered
and recognised years after his death — that’s
superb! However, I was heartbroken that
Nigeria does not admire and celebrate her
own sons and daughters demonstrating
uncommon excellence in their areas of
interest. One would quickly recall that Taiwo
Akinkunmi, the designer of the Nigerian flag
(a huge source of national pride), was
honoured a national award only after
decades of neglect. Isn’t that disgraceful?
A few days later, it was all over the media
that the Nigerian veteran comedian,
Basketmouth, was specially honoured in far-
away Houston— the 4th largest US city.
Reportedly, July 17 was proclaimed
Basketmouth Day by the mayor of the city of
Houston in Texas. This was obviously done
in recognition of his extraordinary feat. I
doubt if anyone would dispute the fact that
Basketmouth really deserves the great
honour. I first saw him performing live at a
campus show at Obafemi Awolowo
University, Ile Ife, where he came to thrill the
students in the height of academic warfare,
and I did doff my hat for him that day—he’s
a great bundle of talents. In fact, I said to
myself: “This guy is going places, and he will
definitely win a national award
someday.” That’s what I say whenever I
come across young talented Nigerians and
Africans, who sweep me off my feet – I am
an incurable optimist.
Beside Basketmouth and one or two other
comedians, there are a number of
exceptional Nigerians, who deserve the
national awards. However, have they ever
been considered? No. Let’s discuss some of
these remarkable citizens.
To the best of my knowledge, the national
awards are not designed for the “friends of
the government”, who are experts only
when it comes to looting of the public funds.
Instead, they are designed in order to
recognise the contributions of the notable
people to the development of their
communities and the country at large. When
they are honoured as deemed fit, this
inspires and gives hope to the younger
generation that indeed there are the rewards
for excellence, diligence and patriotism. In
case of Nigeria, the situation is exactly
opposite. Doesn’t that explain why an
average Nigerian youngster doesn’t care
about impacting the lives of fellow
countrymen, and, moreover, doesn’t give a
damn about the community development?
Fela Durotoye has touched the lives of so
many Nigerian youths as a foremost
motivational speaker and author. Through
various nation-building projects, he helped
many young ones to find their purpose in life
and build outstanding businesses/careers.
This fantastic man inspired numerous
Nigerians to create solutions to the
overwhelming problems the country is
facing. Fela is the CEO of Gemstone Group,
an organisation, whose mission is to raise
excellent leaders at any age committed to the
process of turning Nigeria into the world’s
most desirable nation to live in by December
31, 2025. Isn’t that amazing?
I can easily remember the ecstasy and
eagerness with which we used to watch
New Dawn with Funmi on NTA in the 2000s.
We were always looking forward to that
moment when the legendary Funmi Iyanda
would feature the story of the “hard-to-
reach” Nigerians (particularly children, youths
and women), and then bring succour to
them in a very inspiring way. That emotional
stories never failed to strike the cord of
patriotism in me

Full details here http://www.naij.com/497065-basketmouth-fela-durotoye-funmi-iyanda-usa-celebrates-nigeria-doesnt.html

hardeiluxie:
Editor’s note: Kofoworola Ayodeji, Naij.com
guest author, laments a fact that the people
who contribute enormously to the positive
international image of Nigeria are celebrated
all over the world, but do not receive proper
respect and honour at their motherland.
Story highlights:
– “… I was heartbroken that Nigeria
does not admire and celebrate her own
sons and daughters demonstrating
uncommon excellence in their areas of
interest.”
– “… Taiwo Akinkunmi, the designer of
the Nigerian flag… was honoured a
national award only after decades of
neglect. Isn’t that disgraceful?”
– “When they [the notable people] are
honoured as deemed fit, this inspires
and gives hope to the younger
generation… In case of Nigeria, the
situation is exactly opposite.”
– “Please, tell me, who deserve the
Order for Meritorious Service if not the
outstanding and patriotic Nigerians? “
– “Our best brains must be encouraged,
not depressed!”
An Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, has
recently been awarded by the US Congress
for his enormous contribution to music, and
political activism. I received the news with
the mixed feelings — excitement on one hand
and anger on the other. I was excited
because the music legend was remembered
and recognised years after his death — that’s
superb! However, I was heartbroken that
Nigeria does not admire and celebrate her
own sons and daughters demonstrating
uncommon excellence in their areas of
interest. One would quickly recall that Taiwo
Akinkunmi, the designer of the Nigerian flag
(a huge source of national pride), was
honoured a national award only after
decades of neglect. Isn’t that disgraceful?
A few days later, it was all over the media
that the Nigerian veteran comedian,
Basketmouth, was specially honoured in far-
away Houston— the 4th largest US city.
Reportedly, July 17 was proclaimed
Basketmouth Day by the mayor of the city of
Houston in Texas. This was obviously done
in recognition of his extraordinary feat. I
doubt if anyone would dispute the fact that
Basketmouth really deserves the great
honour. I first saw him performing live at a
campus show at Obafemi Awolowo
University, Ile Ife, where he came to thrill the
students in the height of academic warfare,
and I did doff my hat for him that day—he’s
a great bundle of talents. In fact, I said to
myself: “This guy is going places, and he will
definitely win a national award
someday.” That’s what I say whenever I
come across young talented Nigerians and
Africans, who sweep me off my feet – I am
an incurable optimist.
Beside Basketmouth and one or two other
comedians, there are a number of
exceptional Nigerians, who deserve the
national awards. However, have they ever
been considered? No. Let’s discuss some of
these remarkable citizens.
To the best of my knowledge, the national
awards are not designed for the “friends of
the government”, who are experts only
when it comes to looting of the public funds.
Instead, they are designed in order to
recognise the contributions of the notable
people to the development of their
communities and the country at large. When
they are honoured as deemed fit, this
inspires and gives hope to the younger
generation that indeed there are the rewards
for excellence, diligence and patriotism. In
case of Nigeria, the situation is exactly
opposite. Doesn’t that explain why an
average Nigerian youngster doesn’t care
about impacting the lives of fellow
countrymen, and, moreover, doesn’t give a
damn about the community development?
Fela Durotoye has touched the lives of so
many Nigerian youths as a foremost
motivational speaker and author. Through
various nation-building projects, he helped
many young ones to find their purpose in life
and build outstanding businesses/careers.
This fantastic man inspired numerous
Nigerians to create solutions to the
overwhelming problems the country is
facing. Fela is the CEO of Gemstone Group,
an organisation, whose mission is to raise
excellent leaders at any age committed to the
process of turning Nigeria into the world’s
most desirable nation to live in by December
31, 2025. Isn’t that amazing?
I can easily remember the ecstasy and
eagerness with which we used to watch
New Dawn with Funmi on NTA in the 2000s.
We were always looking forward to that
moment when the legendary Funmi Iyanda
would feature the story of the “hard-to-
reach” Nigerians (particularly children, youths
and women), and then bring succour to
them in a very inspiring way. That emotional
stories never failed to strike the cord of
patriotism in me

Full details here http://www.naij.com/497065-basketmouth-fela-durotoye-funmi-iyanda-usa-celebrates-nigeria-doesnt.html

K

well......i think it's quite obvious no one gives a sh*t in the country. If u r doing things hoping 4 recognition, mehn..........

Wetin u bi na fr ur pocket....dis is naija