₦airaland Forum

Osinbajo represents well whenever he is directed to do so. Little wonder, the president trusts him.

Beautiful. Osinbajo is the only politician I admire and respect. He's capable and can continue from where president Buhari stops.

Malnutrition pose as a disastrous plague that cause a lot of harm to children. I appreciate the government for the idea of home grown school feeding programme in tackling this.

However, more needs to be done.

It is worthy to note that part of the solutions offered by the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo-led Presidential Task Team to end the traffic gridlock were the introduction of the electronic Call-Up System through the Nigerian Port Authority, NPA and aggressive rehabilitation of roads leading to the nation’s busiest port.

I have watched the video before now and I love it and will want Osinbajo to contest in 2023. But, for now, they should allow him focus on his VP activities to avoid distraction.

It is hypocritical comparing Osinbajo and Pence. Osinbajo has always stood for what is right. He stood for and defended the constitution and rule of law when he sacked the DSS DG, and he stood for the Nigerian people when he suspended his official duty to address angry Nigerians at the airport road.

We really do not want that to again our VP. He's a man of utmost integrity. Blackmail won't work

There should be maximum protection on this industry because they create jobs and contribute alot to our GDP.

This is commendable. Nothing of such has ever happened in the past administration

Osinbajo is the best fit for the job. So much similarities indeed.

A friend's friend who works in Kugbo Furniture market, got his alert yesterday. He was excited and shared the story with his friend who in turn shared it with me. I thought it was a scam. But it's obviously not.

Sentiment aside, the Buhari administration has done well in the area of welfare of the citizenry and empowerment.

The type of man we need in aso rock
Not that wet blanket

The vice president is right. Negligence of duty is not allowed.

WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY 2020
(10th September); “CAN SUICIDE BE PREVENTED?” By Brightest Okuta

The remains of Chukwuemaka Akachi was discovered on May 13, 2019 by his two friends after he had successfully executed his suicide mission in an uncompleted building located in Sullivan Road, Nsukka. The 21-year-old had regularly updated posts on his Facebook profile that suggested a deteriorating mental health and mixed thoughts typical of dementia, before his death.
A young promising poet he was, Akachi’s story is akin to many other sad stories of young Nigerians who ended their own lives.

The word ‘suicide’ is definitely not new to anyone, not only because it is a common word, but because of how the act (or should I call it crime) has become ubiquitous in recent time.
Suicide was coined from the latin word “Suicidium,” which literally means “to kill oneself.” And to simply put, suicide is the successful act of ‘deliberately ending one’s own life.’

Some of the first suicide cases can be traced back to the days of Ajax The Great, a Greek mythological hero who killed himself in the Trojan War. And Empedocles, a Greek philosopher who originated the theory of the four classical elements. He was believed to have died by throwing himself into Mount Empedocles.

I won’t bore you with chronicles of suicidal cases in history. But this is to give you a skimpy insight of how suicide started.

Suicide in Nigeria is becoming an everyday occurrence, with old and young executing it. In 2018, Nigeria ranked fifth in WHO’s report that ranked suicide per 100,000 per country published by Spectator Index. Nigeria was placed fifth with 15,000 suicides in every 100,000 suicides. This explains quite a lot. It is something of grave concern, even more, because a critical look into the suicide cases in Nigeria show that young Nigerians, especially those in tertiary institutions constitute a high percentage of deaths by suicide. Between January and June 2019, 42 cases of successful suicide were reported, and more than 11 of these 42 cases were students of higher institutions.

Depression, one major cause of suicide is not restricted to age or gender. Statistics have shown that eight out of every ten suicide cases are caused by depression. Depression is a mood disorder whose causes can be wrapped up in two conditions: biological and circumstantial. However, a survey conducted by experts proved that major causes of suicide in Nigeria is depression arising from frustration, mental disorder, emotional problems or economic and financial circumstance.

As humans, the onus lies on us to watch out for our loved ones and monitor closely when they begin to show certain signs — Signs like ‘talking about suicides,’ ‘obsession with death,’ ‘talking about lost hope,’ ‘actions that show self-hatred and worthlessness,’ ‘being moody and withdrawing from others,’ ‘self-destructive behavior,’ 'frustrating exclamation' and ‘sudden calmness/quietness.’
All these are suicidal signs, and such a person who does this should be watched closely in order to prevent a suicide case.

The question is “how can suicide be prevented?” One of the most effective formula to prevent suicide (if you’re having suicidal thoughts) is speaking up. Speak up to a close friend and/or family member about any predicament you have that has been bothering you. And also to help a suicidal friend, you need to be proactive. Proactive by observing those around you and their behavioral changes.

Responding quickly in a crisis also prevents suicide. If a friend confides on you about suicidal thoughts, it will be humanly of you to respond with swiftness.

Offer help and support also prevents suicide. Many of those who committed suicide had been nurturing the feeling that they were always alone in the world and no one actually cared. No one offered financial suppport and assistance. And no one gave a listening ear to their imbroglio.

Summarily, 80% of suicidal cases in the world can be prevented if we genuinely care for each other - which of course is not so much a herculean task. This type of tiny gesture is basically what could possibly save a life.

On reaching out to someone, at some point, you possibly may be angry that a friend doesn’t check up on you, but you might also not know what they are going through quietly without your awareness. Confide and share problems with one another.

In the words of Ransom Riggs, " A song and a smile from someone I cared about could be enough to distract me from all that darkness, if only for a little while."

..............................................................................
© Brightest Okuta is a writer, graphic artist, researcher and Political/Economic analyst. He's a Journo with chronicle.ng

You can reach him on Twitter @okutabrightest

For transparency sake. Yes!

BEKWARRA PEOPLE AND THE IPEM-IHIHE FESTIVAL

The Ipem-Ihihe is the New Yam Festival of Bekwarra people of Northern Cross River State. Bekwarra is a tribe of people domiciled in a 306 sq2 of land mass with unique and rich cultural practices like every other tribe in the paradise state.
With a population of about 150,000 (2006 census), it boasts as one of the most populated local government area in the state. The Bekwarrians (as stylishly called) are generally warm, welcoming, and accommodating.

Primaril[b][/b][/b][b][b][/b][b][/b]y, the source of income of the Bekwarra people is largely based on agriculture. The people cultivate food crops for consumption and commercial purposes. This helps in keeping the economy afloat. Food crops in the list are Anankere (Groundnut), Achaka (Potatoes), Ebechie (Cocoyam), Ologo (Cassava), Iguam (Plantain), Ashi (Ground pea), Igeh (Wateryam), Ikuru (Maize), Anang (Beneseed), Achu (Pepper), and of course, Ipem (Yam).

The feast of Ipem Ihihe is a single day ceremony that is celebrated on first Saturday of September every year. It is primarily aimed at celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the Bekwarra people and the King of crops. Because of the people’s believe that yam remains the king of all crops in the land (Odey, P. O. (2014, p2), the celebration of new yam at harvest is often accompanied by ceremonies that is made of traditional rites and customary practices.

Prior to the emergence and ubiquity of Christianity and other modern system, a day before the main festival, sacrifices of thanksgiving are offered to the ancestors and gods of harvest, for a bountiful harvest and prosperous season. The ritual is being carried out by family heads and guests are not invited to attend. In this practice, an elder or village head kills the sacrificed animal and sprinkles the blood on the community idol or symbol giving thanks to the gods and spirits for the role they played throughout the planting season, to the period of harvest (Omagu, p22).

On the feast day, the head of each household boils a tuber of yam, marsh it, mixed with palm oil, get a handful and raise above his head about three times and sprinkles it at different points around the compound (Ojeka, O, 14/10/2015). This indicates that the community deities must be the first to consume the newly harvested yam and then set the path for the living. After this is done, the head of the house provides the biggest cock and slaughter for the feast.
Gallons of palm wine are also made available for consumption.

However, due to the advent of Christianity and the colonialism of Bekwarra land, the traditional and ritual celebration of the Ipem-Ihihe feast is gradually corroding. The Ipem-Ihihe feast is now commonly practiced in church, especially by the Roman Catholics. Bekwarra Christians offer Yams as sacrifices in a thanksgiving ceremony in the Christian Church and hold a feast of Celebration to thank God for a fruitful harvest.

This doesn’t completely erode the culture, as a celebration (without ritual) that is modern is still hosted every festive day and guests are invited to attend in the Local government headquarters, Abuochiche. This is more modern and has absolute nothing to do with the ritual rites that was practiced those days. In this occasion, the items on the agenda includes: Cultural parade, traditional dance competition, award for best yam farmer of the year, best palm wine tapper, traditional music performance by local Bekwarra artistes, beauty contests (Mr. & Miss Ipem-Ihihe), masquerade display, parade of Bekwarra cuisines etc.

It is also a known fact in the Bekwarra culture that this season – the Ipem-Ihihe season, is the most generous season for any Bekwarra son and daughter. Village heads often preach the purpose of this feast as a day to shower love - giving to your neighbor, friends and other people around you. This is also regarded as part of the traditional practice of the Ipem-Ihihe festival.


The socio-cultural impact of the feast of Ipem-Ihihe cannot be overemphasized. Odey (2014, p5) rightly argued that the new yam festival has earned a place up high on the tourism agenda of the paradise state. The beauty of the
cultural content of the people is exhibited.

The feast also serves as a thin line that connects traditional community leaders, political leaders and the village people together.
The cultural heritage of Nigeria is preserved in the state.

According to G. Olofu, Bekwarra cultural identity and the rich cultural heritage in the land can also be preserved, sustained, and promoted through individual moral attachment to the principle that upheld our history and culture.


© Bright Okuta
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Bright is a Writer and Journo with Chronicle Media, Abuja; a Graphic Artist and Economic Analyst. You can reach him on Twitter “@okutabrightest”

References:

- Agbo O, Age: 61, Trader, Ijibo Village, Oral Interview, 20/12/2015.2.

- Agricultural Celebration in Nigeria: A Look into the Feast of Ipem-Ihihe in Bekwarra Land by Godwin Olofu.

- Abua, T. Age: 67, Farmer, Anyikang Village, Oral Interview, 22/12/2015.3.

- Agene Ushie, Farmer, Age: 67, Ububa Village, Oral Interview, 14/09/2015.8.

- Enare, E, Age:64, Farmer,Anyikang Village, Oral Interview, 30/12/2015

They are PDP toy-boys used by Atiku and co to carryout their mischievous acts.
Their plans will fail woefully.

We will bounce back to normal. By God's grace.

Osinbajo always fix things. Yet, some mischievous people will only bent on writing fake mews about him.
The Ogoni Cleanup is there for the records.

This one na better initiative sha.
I no sure say anything like this don happen for past government. Leave it, Buhari and Osinbajo de try abeg�

Abeg, who get Xiaomi screen for Abuja for sale. Very urgent.

Osinbajo and Prof. Zulum for sure!

I'll support, strategize, campaign and vote for Prof. Osinbajo if he comes out for president in 2023. Too many great qualities inside one man. �

holaboy3:
The writer of this article is dangerously maaaadddd ..... Wetin be all these ones na ?...what's the purpose of this article ,to paint osinbajo in Golden image ba? see this is a very useless article ... osinbajo will never be president no matter how you people try to paint him... he's a follow follow man ...he has been used and dumped already by the northerners jare.

Borrow sense if you don't have one

It's obvious, those set of humans are against progress and development. Osinbajo will keep soaring higher and higher.

useless FFK is here again

Osinbajo is a great gift to Nigeria. We await your surfacing as President in 2023.

Sincerely, it is now becoming clearer day by day who these people are. I mean whose who want to tarnish the name of Osinbajo.
But he'll sure overcome and become what God wants him to.

They may gather but surely they shall scatter!!
It is clearly written. Touch not my anointed!

Nice written. OP has too much sense.

Go and learn how to dress and stop hating

Where this one from again
Yeye

Kellie069:
That doesn’t change the fact that you are a yeye Vice President and your days are numbered !

Just keep quiet and stfu.
He's the vice president Nigeria has ever had, bro.
Argue with your biro