₦airaland Forum

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[quote author=Hoha!!!ode]nice one. bt Asif i saw something like "persecuted for who we love" i have a dream[/quote]

“To Graça Machel and the Mandela family; to President (Jacob) Zuma and members of the government; to heads of state and government, past and present; distinguished guests – it is a singular honor to be with you today, to celebrate a life unlike any other.

To the people of South Africa – people of every race and walk of life – the world thanks you for sharing Nelson Mandela with us. His struggle was your struggle. His triumph was your triumph. Your dignity and hope found expression in his life, and your freedom, your democracy is his cherished legacy.

It is hard to eulogize any man – to capture in words not just the facts and the dates that make a life, but the essential truth of a person – their private joys and sorrows; the quiet moments and unique qualities that illuminate someone’s soul. How much harder to do so for a giant of history, who moved a nation toward justice, and in the process moved billions around the world.

Born during World War I, far from the corridors of power, a boy raised herding cattle and tutored by elders of his Thembu tribe – Madiba would emerge as the last great liberator of the 20th century. Like Gandhi, he would lead a resistance movement – a movement that at its start held little prospect of success. Like King, he would give potent voice to the claims of the oppressed, and the moral necessity of racial justice. He would endure a brutal imprisonment that began in the time of Kennedy and Khrushchev, and reached the final days of the Cold War. Emerging from prison, without force of arms, he would – like Lincoln – hold his country together when it threatened to break apart. Like America’s founding fathers, he would erect a constitutional order to preserve freedom for future generations – a commitment to democracy and rule of law ratified not only by his election, but by his willingness to step down from power.

Given the sweep of his life, and the adoration that he so rightly earned, it is tempting then to remember Nelson Mandela as an icon, smiling and serene, detached from the tawdry affairs of lesser men. But Madiba himself strongly resisted such a lifeless portrait. Instead, he insisted on sharing with us his doubts and fears; his miscalculations along with his victories. “I’m not a saint,” he said, “unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.”

It was precisely because he could admit to imperfection – because he could be so full of good humor, even mischief, despite the heavy burdens he carried – that we loved him so. He was not a bust made of marble; he was a man of flesh and blood – a son and husband, a father and a friend. That is why we learned so much from him; that is why we can learn from him still. For nothing he achieved was inevitable. In the arc of his life, we see a man who earned his place in history through struggle and shrewdness; persistence and faith. He tells us what’s possible not just in the pages of dusty history books, but in our own lives as well.

Mandela showed us the power of action; of taking risks on behalf of our ideals. Perhaps Madiba was right that he inherited, “a proud rebelliousness, a stubborn sense of fairness” from his father. Certainly he shared with millions of black and colored South Africans the anger born of, “a thousand slights, a thousand indignities, a thousand unremembered moments…a desire to fight the system that imprisoned my people.”

But like other early giants of the ANC – the Sisulus and Tambos – Madiba disciplined his anger; and channeled his desire to fight into organization, and platforms, and strategies for action, so men and women could stand-up for their dignity. Moreover, he accepted the consequences of his actions, knowing that standing up to powerful interests and injustice carries a price. “I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination,” he said at his 1964 trial. “I’ve cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

Mandela taught us the power of action, but also ideas; the importance of reason and arguments; the need to study not only those you agree with, but those who you don’t. He understood that ideas cannot be contained by prison walls, or extinguished by a sniper’s bullet. He turned his trial into an indictment of apartheid because of his eloquence and passion, but also his training as an advocate. He used decades in prison to sharpen his arguments, but also to spread his thirst for knowledge to others in the movement. And he learned the language and customs of his oppressor so that one day he might better convey to them how their own freedom depended upon his.

Mandela demonstrated that action and ideas are not enough; no matter how right, they must be chiseled into laws and institutions. He was practical, testing his beliefs against the hard surface of circumstance and history. On core principles he was unyielding, which is why he could rebuff offers of conditional release, reminding the Apartheid regime that, “prisoners cannot enter into contracts.” But as he showed in painstaking negotiations to transfer power and draft new laws, he was not afraid to compromise for the sake of a larger goal. And because he was not only a leader of a movement, but a skillful politician, the Constitution that emerged was worthy of this multiracial democracy; true to his vision of laws that protect minority as well as majority rights, and the precious freedoms of every South African.

Finally, Mandela understood the ties that bind the human spirit. There is a word in South Africa- Ubuntu – that describes his greatest gift: his recognition that we are all bound together in ways that can be invisible to the eye; that there is a oneness to humanity; that we achieve ourselves by sharing ourselves with others, and caring for those around us. We can never know how much of this was innate in him, or how much of was shaped and burnished in a dark, solitary cell. But we remember the gestures, large and small – introducing his jailors as honored guests at his inauguration; taking the pitch in a Springbok uniform; turning his family’s heartbreak into a call to confront HIV/AIDS – that revealed the depth of his empathy and understanding. He not only embodied Ubuntu; he taught millions to find that truth within themselves. It took a man like Madiba to free not just the prisoner, but the jailor as well; to show that you must trust others so that they may trust you; to teach that reconciliation is not a matter of ignoring a cruel past, but a means of confronting it with inclusion, generosity and truth. He changed laws, but also hearts.

For the people of South Africa, for those he inspired around the globe – Madiba’s passing is rightly a time of mourning, and a time to celebrate his heroic life. But I believe it should also prompt in each of us a time for self-reflection. With honesty, regardless of our station or circumstance, we must ask: how well have I applied his lessons in my own life?

It is a question I ask myself – as a man and as a President. We know that like South Africa, the United States had to overcome centuries of racial subjugation. As was true here, it took the sacrifice of countless people – known and unknown – to see the dawn of a new day. Michelle and I are the beneficiaries of that struggle. But in America and South Africa, and countries around the globe, we cannot allow our progress to cloud the fact that our work is not done. The struggles that follow the victory of formal equality and universal franchise may not be as filled with drama and moral clarity as those that came before, but they are no less important. For around the world today, we still see children suffering from hunger, and disease; run-down schools, and few prospects for the future. Around the world today, men and women are still imprisoned for their political beliefs; and are still persecuted for what they look like, or how they worship, or who they love.

We, too, must act on behalf of justice. We, too, must act on behalf of peace. There are too many of us who happily embrace Madiba’s legacy of racial reconciliation, but passionately resist even modest reforms that would challenge chronic poverty and growing inequality. There are too many leaders who claim solidarity with Madiba’s struggle for freedom, but do not tolerate dissent from their own people. And there are too many of us who stand on the sidelines, comfortable in complacency or cynicism when our voices must be heard.

The questions we face today – how to promote equality and justice; to uphold freedom and human rights; to end conflict and sectarian war – do not have easy answers. But there were no easy answers in front of that child in Qunu. Nelson Mandela reminds us that it always seems impossible until it is done. South Africa shows us that is true. South Africa shows us we can change. We can choose to live in a world defined not by our differences, but by our common hopes. We can choose a world defined not by conflict, but by peace and justice and opportunity.

We will never see the likes of Nelson Mandela again. But let me say to the young people of Africa, and young people around the world – you can make his life’s work your own. Over thirty years ago, while still a student, I learned of Mandela and the struggles in this land. It stirred something in me. It woke me up to my responsibilities – to others, and to myself – and set me on an improbable journey that finds me here today. And while I will always fall short of Madiba’s example, he makes me want to be better. He speaks to what is best inside us. After this great liberator is laid to rest; when we have returned to our cities and villages, and rejoined our daily routines, let us search then for his strength – for his largeness of spirit – somewhere inside ourselves. And when the night grows dark, when injustice weighs heavy on our hearts, or our best laid plans seem beyond our reach – think of Madiba, and the words that brought him comfort within the four walls of a cell:

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul.

What a great soul it was. We will miss him deeply. May God bless the memory of Nelson Mandela. May God bless the people of South Africa.”

immortalcrown: According to your own understanding.

What do you think? What is your own understanding?

Minister of Tourism, Edem Duke, said
“I believe the greatest problem of the Nigerian youth is that of self-belief. There is an abundance of opportunities and potential in Nigeria, but many are just too afraid. Another thing is that some want to take short-cut, which is in our system and blood as a nation. We need to rid ourselves of these and rise above the horizon of self-limitation.”


Do you agree with him?

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Are you a woman with an entrepreneurial flare? Then here’s a chance for you to be recognized for all your work. The Cartier Women’s Initiative is making a call for application. The Cartier Awards is a business plan competition for start-ups led by women organized by Cartier in partnership with McKinsey, INSEAD business school and the Women’s Forum. It aims at supporting creative, financially sustainable and responsible women-led start-ups, in all countries and industries.



The Award is given annually to six laureates who receive a year of coaching, US$20,000 in funding, valuable networking opportunities as well as media exposure.


To apply for the 2014 edition, fill out the application form on www.cartierwomensinitiative.com. Remember that all applications must be submitted online in English. Application deadline: February 28, 2014 at 10am Paris time (CET).


Eighteen finalists representing the best projects worldwide will be selected in the first phase of the contest. They will receive coaching and media exposure and will be invited to France for the Finale week which includes a presentation in front of the international Jury, entrepreneurship workshops and the Global Meeting of the Women’s Forum.

Front page 4 d first time!!! Must include this in my CV ooo...#Achievement

the 'giant of Africa' did not get a chance to make a presentation in such historic event...we need change...serious reflection on our global status

sunstyle: While we the real citizen are looking for alternative, some people are still looking for what we want to escape from.
What an irony of life.

The grass will always be greener on the other side. #Focus on NIGERIA

oluagness: nysc is going beyond its boundary. Very soon, they will only allow people with first class and distinction to serve.

The Graduate's decision to sue NYSC was mocked by many but now He has gotten Victory...for himself and others The Court has set a good precedent

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The Minister of Interior Mr Abba Moro on Monday in Abuja presented 217 foreign nationals with certificates of Nigerian citizenship.


The minister also presented 129 nationals with of naturalisation certificates while 88 were given certificates by registration.

The nationals included men and women from Lebanon, Ghana, Pakistan, India, Russia and America.

Moro said the presentation was made in line with President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation ideals of strict adherence to due process and transparent procedures.

He said the award of certificates was in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and was granted after a thorough process to deserving nationals who sought Nigerian citizenship.

The minister admonished them to abide by the ideals and institutions of the Nigerian

national flag, anthem and pledge, as well as respect all constituted authorities.

He urged them to make positive and useful contributions to the advancement, progress and well- being of the different communities they reside in.

“You all are enjoined to enjoy all rights and privileges within the confines of the law conferred on you by your new status as Nigerians.

“You are also to fulfill your fundamental obligations and responsibilities to the country,’’ he added.

The minister reiterated the administration’s commitment to the strategic role Nigeria playein the committee of nations in its quest for greater human integration, peace and prosperity.

Mr Adetayo Sode, the Director, Citizenship and Business, Ministry of Interior, said those granted certificates were persons married to Nigerian spouse.

Sode said those who are 20 years and above and had stayed in the country for about 15 years were given the citizenship.

He said all the recipients had clean records as they had to be cleared by the Nigerian Immigration Service, the Police and the various states where they live.

Mr Calvino Erico, a representative of the recipients, expressed joy over the development and assured Nigerians that the beneficiaries would abide by the laws of the country.

The Leader, House of Representatives, Rep. Mulikat Akande-Adeola and the Commandant-General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr Ade Abolurin are among the dignitaries that witnessed the presentation.

Others include the Comptroller-General Nigeria Immigration, Mr David Paradang; the Controller-General, Federal Fire Service, Mr Olusegun Okebiorun and the Controller-General, Nigeria Prison Service, Mr Zakari Ibrahim.

SOURCE: Nigerian Eye

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A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has declared as unlawful the decision by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to deny Nigerian graduates participation in the compulsory one-year national youth service for not possessing credit passes in O’ Level Mathematics.

This was the judgement delivered by Justice Mohammed Idris in a suit instituted by a Nigerian graduate from a foreign intitution, Mr. Terna Tarka, who was allegedly denied mobilisation on the grounds that he does not have a credit pass in Mathematics in his O’ Level certificate examination.

In enforcing the policy, the NYSC had allegedly claimed that it was relying on a directive from the Ministry of Education which purportedly halted mobilisation of all graduates without credit passes in Mathematics. After being denied mobilisation on the said grounds, Tarka filed this action, through his lawyer, Mr. Adekunle Oyesanya, SAN, to contest the policy.

The defendants in the suit are Chairman, National Directorate of the National Youth Service Corps and the Minister of Education, as second and third defendants respectively.

In his judgement, Justice Idris said nothing in the NYSC’s powers as provided under Sections 2 (i) (b) of the National Youth Service Corps Act, Cap N84, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 empowers the corps to deny anybody mobilisation for lacking credit pass in Mathematics.

The court further said that the policy the NYSC is relying on is not recognised by law. Justice Idris consequently gave an order compelling the NYSC to register the plaintiff in the next batch of the NYSC scheme or in the alternative to exempt the plaintiff from participating in the scheme and issue him with a certificate of exemption.

Source: NATIONAL MIRROR

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The 2013 Best of Nollywood Awards took place on Thursday 5th December 2013 at the Dome, Asaba, Delta.

Awards were presented to creative talents for impeccably portraying their roles. Some of the winners include Fathia Balogun, OC Ukeje, Omoni Oboli, Alex Ekubo and Rita Dominic.

Check out the first shots from the event and the full list of winners

Check http://www.proudlynigerian.net/2013/12/2013-best-of-nollywood-awards-photos.html#more for more !!!

[quote author=slim fit ]I think edo state people are waking up including the fdf people there, its not a safe state for any party anymore. Other states would have got away with it. Mostly the North.[/quote]But you would agree that social media help...the video went viral! Fdf?

mariM: Very simple and beautiful

Thank you Dear

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Cyrus Levi: It would be a national disaster to censor social media.

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A catastrophic misplacement of value.

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It will destroy the fire in the voice of the people not the voice itself as the people will still speak but with fear and trembling.

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Why should the government feel threatened by the social media.Is it because it exposes their dirty linens to the general public or because it promotes anger towards the government and those in power.

Correct!!!

[quote author=slim fit ]Respect ends when leaders don't show good examples Alahji.
Make that laws and it will be the last thing this government and lawmakers would ever do.

You stave us of food now you want to take our voices too ![/quote]I feel you...

Ada Nri1: I don't see how social media has made them more accountable.
Nigerian politicians have the skin of a crocodile. Nothing makes them ashamed, so long as their pockets are bring filled with loot

Social media has helped a lot. Imagine the 'Go and die' issue involving the Widow in Edo state without social media. The issue will die without apology!...I doubt if even public protests would have been more powerful...

maureenkell: Pls which waovon did u use to make it tanks

Have you seen the video? A short weavon like the one in the pic will do just fine. Hope that answers your question...

[quote author=9jii.]Its the only way we can punish them of their bad governing.

But seriously insult is not the only way to go.
We can channel that negative feeling to something positive just like Mandela.[/quote]We have to focus on positive things...

nora544: I make it for you. I know this since a long time.

When you look this comes only from this new churches, which Pastors are the richest in Africa only the Pastors from the new churches, the penecostal Pastors.

Thank you very much!

nora544: I make it for you. I know this since a long time.

When you look this comes only from this new churches, which Pastors are the richest in Africa only the Pastors from the new churches, the penecostal Pastors.

Thank you very much!

Sorry about the poor spacing...will modify on my Laptop soon.

…young people also must learn to be patient and strategic in the use of their social media. Driving change will need a continuous push and pull on the leadership. If the pressure is not consistent, the leaders young people are seeking to influence will become dense and disregard social media voices as noise, without action.


Social media may yet change governance in Africa I have recently had to answer many questions from friends and contemporaries, seeking to understand why I decided to join social media and expose myself to potential fire from young Nigerians. This is mostly because people who have known me for a long time know me to be a rather quiet person. But the reality is that over the last months, I have learned that the positives of social media participation far outweigh the negatives. Social media is where young people, the bulk of Nigeria’s population, gather to share their thoughts, often venting their frustrations with the inefficiencies of the country. I may not always like what is written about me; indeed some commenters could be very insulting.

Our society has always been one where older people expect a lot of respect from younger people, so the relative equality of voice that social media provides may shock newcomers to the platforms. Overall, social media has allowed me to listen a diverse array of Nigerian voices without filters. I am going to guess that colleagues in public service may see social media as a threat, and indeed seek to censor social media networks. But I think such an attempt would be a mistake. Instead of censoring social media, governments need to see them as an opportunity to listen directly to their constituency. The conversations on social media represent a gold mine of data and reference for performance. The reality is that leaders can test opinions using social, media, and more importantly, can generate and collate ideas and solutions from their constituency by putting their thoughts out in social media. Not all ideas on social media are good, and leaders sometimes leaders have to make tough decisions which are unpopular. Indeed that is the point of being a leader, being able to filter through multitudes of voices to make the right decision.
However, it is good to see social media as a resource. A 24-hour focus group, which can yield fine ideas for every political leader. Leadership can only improve where there is an active participation of the led. The active participation of young people on social media, and the continuous interest in how the nation is governed can only lead to improvements in government. I am personally more conscious of my public acti,ons of late, because my presence on social media means I have to give an account of my actions – a responsibility which is self regulated simply because I am aware of the access that the platforms have how provided. I am now spending most of my free time reading, writing and engaging on social media, and learning. The responses surely is providing feedback which is helping me to make decisions, including my recent scholarship competition. In the last few months, what I have learned is that this social media rise is happening across Africa. That can only be a good thing.

It is very possible that this generation will change the future of Africa because of the availability of more information. However, young people also must learn to be patient and strategic in the use of their social media. Driving change will need a continuous push and pull on the leadership. If the pressure is not consistent, the leaders young people are seeking to influence will become dense and disregard social media voices as noise, without action. To drive change through social media, the key qualities young people will also need to learn are consistency and doggedness, because politically, that is the only way to survive. Social media is a powerful organizing tool in perfecting and protecting our democracy moving forward. Together we can ensure dignity for all Nigerians by combatting corruption, creating economic opportunity for our youth and securing our communities. I look forward to continuing my engagement and listening to Nigerians (yes, even the critics!) as we strive for a brighter future.

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Gideon Thuranira, editor of Christian Professional magazine, calls these men “churchpreneurs.” They plant churches not because they have a burden to reach lost souls but because they see dollar signs when they fill an auditorium with chairs.


1. It is mixed with occultism.

Before Christianity came to Nigeria, people visited witch doctors and sacrificed goats or cows to get prosperity. They poured libations on the ground so the gods would hear their prayers. Today similar practices continue, only the juju priest has been replaced by a pastor who drives a Mercedes-Benz. I am aware of a pastor who buried a live animal under the floor of his church to win God’s favor. Another pastor asked his congregants to bring bottles of sand to church so he could anoint them; he then told the people to sprinkle the sand in their houses to bring blessings. The people who follow these charlatans are reminded that their promised windfall won’t materialize unless they give large donations.

2. It fuels greed.

Any person who knows Christ will learn the joy of giving to others. But the prosperity gospel teaches people to focus on getting, not giving. At its core it is a selfish and materialistic faith with a thin Christian veneer. Church members are continually urged to sow financial seeds to reap bigger and bigger rewards. In Africa, entire conferences are dedicated to collecting offerings in order to achieve wealth. Preachers boast about how much they paid for suits, shoes, necklaces and watches. They tell their followers that spirituality is measured by whether they have a big house or a first-class ticket. When greed is preached from the pulpit, it spreads like a cancer in God’s house.

3. It feeds pride.

This greedy atmosphere in prosperity churches has produced a warped style of leadership. My Kenyan friend Gideon Thuranira, editor of Christian Professional magazine, calls these men “churchpreneurs.” They plant churches not because they have a burden to reach lost souls but because they see dollar signs when they fill an auditorium with chairs. A selfish message produces bigheaded opportunists who need position, applause and plenty of perks to keep them happy. The most successful prosperity preacher is the most dangerous because he can convince a crowd that Jesus died to give you and me a Lexus.

4. It works against the formation of Christian character.

The prosperity message is a poor imitation of the gospel because it leaves no room for brokenness, suffering, humility or delay. It offers an illegal shortcut. Prosperity preachers promise instant results and overnight success; if you don’t get your breakthrough, it’s because you didn’t give enough money in the offering. Jesus calls us to deny ourselves and follow Him; prosperity preaching calls us to deny Jesus and follow our materialistic lusts. There is a leadership crisis in the African church because many pastors are so set on getting rich, they can’t go through the process of discipleship that requires self-denial.

5. It actually keeps people in poverty.

The government of Malawi is currently under international scrutiny because of fraud carried out by top leaders. The saddest thing about the so-called “Cashgate” scandal is that professing Christians in the administration of President Joyce Banda have been implicated. One of these people stole millions of kwacha from the government and hid the cash in a teddy bear! Most people today in Malawi live on less than $1 a day, yet their leaders have been known to buy fleets of cars and huge plots of land with money that was not theirs. Sadly, the prosperity gospel preached in Malawi has encouraged pastors and leaders to follow the same corrupt pattern. As a result, God’s people have been financially exploited. When Jesus described false prophets as wolves in sheep’s clothing, He warned us to examine their fruit. Matthew 7:17 says, “So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit” (NASB). What is the fruit of prosperity preaching? Churches have been growing rapidly in many parts of Africa today, yet sub-Saharan Africa is the only region in the world where poverty has increased in the past 25 years. So according to the statistics, the prosperity gospel is not bringing prosperity! It is a flawed message, but I believe God will use selfless, broken African leaders to correct

—————————–Read original article in Charisma Mag