The Minister for Transport, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amechi has decried that students no longer hold government officials accountable. Instead, they sing their praises to gain their favour.

He said this at his speech during the 8th Matriculation ceremony of Gregory University, Uturu. He recalled his days as an undergraduate when they actively pursued the interest of students without compromise.

He enjoined the matriculating scholars to work hard in their studies as success can only be achieved through hard work.

Also speaking at the event, Prof. Julius Okojie, the former Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission stated that private university is the future of University education in Nigeria. He commended the progress recorded by Gregory University since its inception in 2012.

"Please what's today's date?" Nkoli asked the man standing next to her at the counter. The two-day public holiday that followed the weekend had messed up her mental calendar.

"23rd," he said. "23rd March."

At that instant,Nkoli remembered that exact day three years ago. She remembered it so well as what was supposed to be a harmless participation turned out to become a major life discovery.

She had attendedan Outreach and among other things,the programme offered free medical counselling and tests. She first checked-in with the eye-care team as her eye had been giving her some discomfort. Onward she went to the HIV testing tent. She aced all the questions thrown at her on her knowledge of HIV/AIDS.

"I just came for the test, I know all these" she said. The middle aged man smiled. "It's good you know," he said. It was easy and fast, just a prick on her index finger and some mixing he did.

She heard people say their heart beat loudly while they awaited their result. But she believed she had nothing to fear.

Indeed, she indulged in some miscellaneous activities. Ejike was her campus boyfriend and she could firmly say "he was not that type of person." Anthony was "smooth" but he always insisted on using protection. He used to say it was for "peace of mind." It happened just once with Anayo. Can one even get infected at just one exposure? So she remained calm.

A few minutes passed and the medic said they would check the result together. He explained that a single-line meant negative and a double was positive.

Side-by- side they stood as she saw the double line that redefined her life.

"Oh,no. It can't be." She blurted.

"Well, it may not be," he assured. "Even if it is so, you said it yourself some minutes ago,there's treatment now, so it's not the end of the world"

"Are you sure the kit is not expired?"

"Calm down, Miss" he said with a warm smile. "You will undergo another test,this time in a lab of a hospital. That one will tell."

"Oh,okay." That seemed to have calmed Nkoli's nerves that had began to edge. He scribbled down something on a paper and handed to her.

The test at the hospital was the same.

It has been three years and nothing has changed. From all she had read,nothing would have changed, yet, whether or not she took the medication. But it would not stay so forever, unless she took the medication. That was why she did,still does and will continue to do.

Just like her father, everyday she swallows her medication. Just that her father took his to keep his sugar level at bay. Also, she was not as conspicuous as him about it. Unlike her father, no one reminds her of it. But she takes a nudge from his compliance.

It's all to keep alive, whatever the ailment may be.

Her results reads negative now. It has been so for almost two years now. Nurse Racheal explained that it's not that the virus has left her body,but it's that it has become suppressed. Too suppressed to appear in test results. Too suppressed to be passed unto another.

She was honest about it to Okechukwu but he moved on. She understood. Gabriel too. Steven knew but he was still there. She doesn't know how long he'd be.

In days she remembers, she stares herself in the mirror, full of flesh, young and healthy, with no resemblance of all she feared living with HIV would be. She looked no different from Abigail her sister,Ngozi in her office or Buchi in the next flat. Nor the young lady at the counter processing her teller.

So they cannot tell she lives with HIV,neither can she tell of them.

"Thank you for banking with us," the security guard at the door said.

"Thank you," she said as she extended her palm to him in a handshake, leaving a naira note in his.

"Have a nice day," she greeted as the man's face brightened up,more alive than the perfunctory courteous smile he put on earlier.

Nkoli rejoined the street, walking tall,happy and proud. In full knowledge of her status and at rest with it. A thing oblivious to passers-by. A thing not their business and concern.

They say one thing must kill a man, with Nkoli's effort, one of it, for her, wouldn't be AIDS.

#GetTestedToday#

#KnowYourStatus#

#LiveWithPride#

#WorldHIV/AIDSDay#

visit www.ezinnearua.com for more.

A facebook user,Chioma Ngaikedi has set out to help a 30 year old lady,Remi who has a massive tumor growing on her face. The tumor is threatening to compress the eyes of the lady and leave her blind if nothing is done.

Miss China has been very transparent in handling all the funds donated so far and keeps giving viewers minute to minute report on their progress.


We scheduled for 8am, Remi was at my house by 7:55am. This lady really needs this surgery.
We are heading to Lagos University Teaching Hospital right now.

The journey has begun. Thank you to every one who has donated. You are the one making this journey possible. I may have been the one who spotted Remi but without your donations I wouldn't have been able to go beyond mere pity. Thank you so much for your donations. I really appreciate.

If you haven't donated, please do.

To donate, please pay into:

Access Bank
Name: REMILEKUN AFOLAYAN
Acct: 0787807171

With love,
Chioma Ngaikedi.

A lot of buzz seems to follow Prince Charles recent visit to Nigeria. First it was his sitting arrangement with top Nigerian monarchs.

A video made rounds online which shows Prince Charles end his speech by saying "9ja no dey carry last". He humoured everyone by the attempt to sound Nigerian.

The hugest shock is that it appears he read his speech using a rechargeable lantern as the place was poorly lit.

Abeg, 9ja carry last for this one ooooooo.

This our President's certificate matter sef, why can't we just put it to rest. But on a serious note why should we? It's really funny, the minimum academic requirement for the highest office in the land is a (paltry) Secondary School Certificate. And the possession of this by our current Commander in Chief of our Armed Forces is in question. It needed Judiciary intervention to interpret whether the paper he presented during his campaign days met the minimum qualification.......... Please feel free and ask any job seeker near you what the minimum qualification for a low management job is. Even Civil Service jobs which is the government's work force demands (sorry ooooooo) real qualifications. They even also demand you present your First School Leaving Certificate. An affidavit does not suffice neither does a Testimonial, even if you have have gone ahead and acquired a PhD. If your own got burnt in a fire, that's your business, original copy or no deal. They say this is to verify ones real age(the age issue is a topic for another day) . This is really disheartening. It seems the higher one climbs, the less rules apply to you....... Even those seeking admission into higher institutions. This time it is not just that you sat for the O'level exams, but you must score a minimum number of credits in order to qualify for admission. We all know the number of passes contained in the Testimonial we were shown,please can someone tell me which department you can use that result to secure admission into. This really gets me thinking. If the highest office that has numerous powers vested on it has the least requirements, is there any motivation to pursue higher qualifications. And we wonder why our certificates are worthless, afterall those without it go places and reach very great heights and those with it roam the streets everyday looking for a place they can offer the knowledge they burnt midnight candles to acquire. Anyway it's a good thing the Office does not have a maximum requirement, so if anyone feels too pained they too can contest. This is an office that is vested with the power to sign off on every matter that concerns our Nation, an Office that determines our relations with other countries, an Office that steers the wheel of our Country, so no qualification is too much yet ironically it has the least minimum qualification requirement ......... Anyway the Office has trailer load of advisers who are qualified to the teeth, maybe their advice would integrate the needed sound input high academic training and qualification instills, but sadly the most they can do is advice.

Pro-chasity preachers say that demons or spirits are transfered from one person to another when they have sex. I simply consider that silly. For me, the truth in that is yet to be affirmed, but it cannot be completely denied.

It hit me one day that pregnancy is a product of what was "left - off" after the deed had been done. Babies are angels, and what was "left - off " is how each and everyone of us came into existence. Sadly, not all that is" left - off" after sex is good news. Diseases are passed along as well (who knows what else are passed too, maybe demons).

World history has recorded different veneral diseases, name them - Chlamydia, Genital herpes, Hepatitis B, Human Papilloma virus, HIV /AIDS, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, etc. Thanks to (modern) medicine, most of these diseases come and go, ie, they can be treated. But unfortunately, not all have treatment options.

A disease or an out-break of a disease makes us realize just how connected we are. This is a great sad truth. Epidemics prove to us how easily things get around. Human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) is one disease that has made it glaring how connected we are and how things are shared among us. HIV, a disease that gained prominence in the early 80's has within the years infected over 70 million people worldwide, killing about 35 million people with 36.7 mill people being currently infected.

One remarkable thing about HIV is that since a cure is yet to be found, an imprint(an infection) cannot be erased (cured), thereby keeping a perfect trail on the spread of the infection. So the population of people with the virus is well defined at all times. Unlike in conditions with a cure. This shows us how a disease that originated from one small community in Congo(Kinshasa) has gone on to reach the ends of the earth.

Igbo people have a saying "ma eko te gi, ogodo gi eko tere gi", it loosely translates as "if you do not find trouble yourself, your circumstances can rope you into trouble". The key terms in the prevention of HIV transmission are :Abstinence, Be faithful (to one partner) and use of condoms. Abstinence is a counter-indication in some situations (such as marriage),so abstinence is not applicable in all situations.

Being faithful is one thing, and ones partner being faithful too is quite another. There are countless instances of very faithful partners who end up sharing the burnt of their unfaithful partners. Just as they say, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. So also it is with prevention against veneral diseases. Partners are only as guarded as the most unguarded partner.

The community of people living with HIV fought doggedly to end discrimination and stigma of infected persons. It seems their fight paid off as there is hardly "crufixtion" of sufferers anymore. But truth be told, this was not achieved because of their advocacy, but because infected persons began to look no different from uninfected people. Really, people living with HIV should not be seen as 'a people', we all are still one. Infected persons are people's brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, friends, and colleagues. Nothing changed about them, diseased or not. No one throws the baby away with the bath water.

Thanks to anti-retro viral drugs. With compliance to medication, an infected person can live out their full days. Good enough the drugs are free, unlike anti-hypertensive and anti-diabetic drugs that are very expensive and also require every day intake as well.

People living with HIV in today's world are the luckiest set of suffers in the history of diseases. The early sufferers were not as lucky, as their condition degenerated to gory conditions. Health workers and their loved ones watched helplessly as everything that could possibly go wrong in a human body began to go wrong in the body of infected persons. Fortunately, things are no longer that way.

This is good news, but the Igbos ' have a saying, "a na amachi uwa george", which loosely interprets as "masking ones problems". The success of anti-retrovirals does not take away the fact that HIV is (still) a disease and it still does not have a cure, and it is still a communicable. An alarming 2.1 new infections was recorded at the end of 2015. 40% of infected persons are not aware of their status. This makes the disease even easier to spread as people carry on with their usual activities without knowing that they are spreading a disease they do not even know they have. Sadly, not all infected persons spread the virus innocently, some people intentionally engage in spree sex with the malicious intent of spreading the virus as much as they can. This is simply inhuman.

In the African culture where sexual matters are shrouded, it is important to note that having a veneral disease does not necessarily mean that the infected person is the most promiscuous. Admittedly, promiscuity increase the chances of being infected, but it is not as though it takes a cumulative number of exposure to get infected. People become infected if they (unfortunately) have relations with an already infected person. Nothing more, nothing less. Even one time, first time sexual contact can get one infected.

The history of mankind has witnessed the rise and fall of many diseases. A disease remains almighty until a cure is found. One day, hopefully, HIV/AIDS too would become easy to manage.

visit www.ezinnearua.com for more

In 2015, a candidate used the promise of paying minimum wage to ride to power as against the incumbent who was being cautious of the affordability of the new wage.

Few months into power, the new man rescinded on his promise and no one talked about paying minimum wage again.

2019 is around the corner. The need for upward review of what should be minimum way has been imminent for a long time now but I doubt it's a coincidence that it's put on the table now.

Workers can use this time to secure a good deal for themselves. Contenders can use the promise of making the workers happy to ride to power,putting the incumbent in a very tight corner. With all these in mind, there's great need to face reality.

But reality is subjective,different for different people. For the worker, realistically, 18k is crap. For the politician, what would be left in the barrel if the lowliest worker receives "as much as" 30k.

Haba, una no wan First Lady to rub MaryKay again and carry 800k handbag?

The demand for wage increase by the workers are not unfounded given the current state of the economy. The refusal or maybe reluctance of the Govt to oblige them is not either.

Sadly, these divergent realities must converge for our ministry to move forward. More sad is the reality that whatever is agreed upon now may not see implementation. Considering that we are not new to Union agreements reached with the Govt that was rescinded.

Not necessarily because of deceit or insincerity on the part of the Govt, but because of real inability to fulfill obligations and demands that was shoved down their throat by unflinching trade unionist.

But unflinching trade unionists do not remain unflinching forever. At best, their demands are met and everything becomes alright. This rarely happens tho. Worse,their demands end when agreements are reached, agreements outside the best interest of the group they claim to represent.

Sometimes their demands end when money change hands. We have watched that happen many times before.

In the end,wetin we gain?

One of the highlights of Fmr. President Obansanjo’s presidency was his debt cancellation crusade and its success. Twenty years down the line, Nigeria has (easily) rebuilt the high debt profile and more debt keeps mounting. The same reality is seen across different states.

Just as the “curse of bank loans” make the debtors to unable to pay up their debts, so also with Nations. Keep in mind that Nigeria as a Nation has been unable to harness its resources and manage its finances. How then do they propose to earn enough money to pay back all the debits they amass?

In defence of Nigerians burdening debt profile, protagonists maintain that Nigeria has a relatively low debt profile, both in African and among other countries of the word. As leading nations such as the United States, United Kingdom and France taking the lead in high debt profile. We must not be too confident in this, these highly indebted economies have (relatively) thriving economies with considerable GDP. Economies that have turned many of their endeavours to billion-dollar industries; entertainment,mining,manufacturing,import and export,food,fashion,etc.But what do we have; poor electricity supply that cripples production and manufacturing, multiple taxation that discourage business, high eve of insecurity that scare investors, bad roads that hinders smooth transportation and corruption that amplifies them all.

Nonetheless, an over $15 billion dollar external debt status is worthy of (great) concern. The irony of it all is that most of the monies borrowed gets looted, smuggled out of the country were at best, they are saved(to the benefit of the host country) but typically they are plunged away in lavish expenses(still at the benefit of the host countries.

One would wonder, if the debt-shame that comes on poor debtors exists for poor indebted Nations, Nigerians would have more reasons to bury their heads in shame at the international front. Our reputation has already been tainted by fraud, human right abuse, insurgence, terror, corruption, and a further weigh down by debt. There is this joke about someone owing another person some money and whenever the creditor spots the debtor making luxurious expenses, he confronts him, mocking him for indulging in luxuries when he(or she) has unsettled debts. The fear of such embarrassment makes the debtor to either stop purchasing expensive, luxurious items, or to work hard and clear up the debts.

One would wonder if our international creditors look at us that way. With our embarrassing debt profile, we still have (one of) the highest paid legislators in the world. Our elected officials still accord themselves the good life on the account of the government. They still fly first class and lodge in most expensive hotels, ride in long motorcades, use latest models of cars and enjoy many other luxuries even the creditor-nations do not indulge themselves. All off the account of a nation, state that is overburdened in debt at the full glare of our creditors.

Among other things, our rising debt profile calls for the need to elect visionary leaders who are concerned about solving the problems of today and more importantly, leaders who invested in building a better tomorrow and not pillaging it today by mortgaging it in debt, leaders who know how best to manage what we have; natural resources and human resources alike.

We all have seen where people, usually poor people, are being hassled for debt they owe. They run from their house, hide from it. Get scared whenever they hear someone coming. They turn-off their phones and live like ghosts all in an attempt to hide from their creditors. Such scenes make owing debts seem like a very unfortunate predicament that brings shame and humiliation, stripping the individual of all dignity. It’s hard which is more indignifying between begging and owing.

Like I noted earlier, this is usually common among poor debtors. Not that rich people do not owe debt, actually, they owe even more, staggering amounts. You know what they say, big man big trouble. I don’t know how well this applies in debt. A person who commands a minimal level of wealth or affluence may be hassled by banks or Police or have their properties foreclosed. But at a higher level up the ladder of fame and affluence, you see that people on that pedestrian are “pampered” for their debits. They go on and accumulate so much debt and when things become dire, government even comes to their rescue by bailing them out with supply of funds. No drama, no shame. It’s almost as if the wealthier a person is, the more indifferent they are to owing debt. Apparently, the shame and embarrassment that comes upon the poor debtor is not (also) accorded to the rich one.

People used to say that there is a curse that follows people who borrow money from Banks. They say no matter how hard the individual tries, they are usually unable to pay up the loan and its interests, thereby losing their property which was used as collateral to foreclosure. Not to undermine the potency of curses, but different factors undermine the viability of a business(idea), more especially in our Nigerian environment. And when these factors come into play, they undermine the take-off or success of the business(idea), thereby leading to its struggle or eventual collapse. Hence the owner’s inability to pay up the loan borrowed for its set-up.

A report by AMCON(Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria) says that just 350 Nigerians owe the company 4.3 trillion of its 5.4 trillion debt. Some time ago, the Central bank of Nigeria released the names of the country’s highest debtors and the list was shocking as it featured the names and companies of very reputable people in our society. People may have thought that the wealth of these affluent people comes from profits and success, not knowing, they are living off borrowed money.

Not just individuals owe, companies, governments (LGs, States, Federal) all incur debts too. Regardless, a debit is a debt and is an embarrassment to the debtor, or should be whether the debtor is an individual, a company, a state or a country.

Most states in Nigerian owe staggering debts, if not all and as the country, our debt profile is monumental. And as a continent, it’s even more so. Like I already said, it seems the higher the debt, the more indifferent the debtors are, or seem to it.

Practically, debt means cutting into funds from your future. With the reckless abandon our Nigerian states and federal govt accumulate debt, one would wonder what would be left to spend and enjoy in the future if we mortgage all of its funds today. Currently, 24% our national budget goes into debt servicing. And ironically, the budget is running on deficit already, ie, we are going to borrow to run our costs and borrow to pay our debts too. In 2017, 2.014 trillion was voted for debt servicing. This year, 2.01 trillion of the 9.12 trillion in the national budget is to go to debt servicing.

One would then wonder when the vicious cycle of indebtedness would end, both for our country and our continent. In the event we become a progressive nation, a portion of our progress would be sunk into paying up the debts amassed over the years. This one fact has kept Nigeria and most African countries in an unprogressive rut.

A pop-star Bono of the U2 fame in the 90s was moved by the poverty,hunger and famine that plagued and still plagues some African countries. In the benevolence of his heart, he rallied his rich friends round and they organized concerts to raise funds to aid the impoverished and dying Africans. Is effort was a great success as at some point he was able to raise $200 million. A staggering amount in today’s world, more so in the 90s. Yet, even after the money was expended(judiciously), the poverty, hunger and feminine remained. A little research revealed that these African countries cough out amount that same amount in debt repayment in one week only. This led Bono to begin his debt cancellation campaign which has achieved great success since it began. But with African countries(and debt), it seems “great success” is hardly enough.

I never really appreciated English language as a field of study until I stumbled on my friend's assignment Mbanugo Uche.

The assignment tasked them to narrate a "ritual" in a particular culture or as narrated in a particular story( I really can't remember).

I was shocked at first, what has English as a field of study got to do with diabolic practice such as "ritual."

Then she explained the meaning of "ritual"...... a repeated process.

That broadened my mind on alot of things. Rituals are not fetish. At least they are not necessarily.

Whatever repeated process..... ritual..... that is the custom of the Yorubas or is expected of a man in the standing of an Ooni is not or should not be incompatible with belief in God Almighty. Prince Harry's wedding is still very much fresh in our minds. There were a lot of unusual activities the average Joe wouldn't have included in his wedding plans, but was expected or normal for a Royal wedding.

We will be proud or more proud of our heritage and identity if we celebrate our culture, not as fetish or diabolic, but as a ritual which is and has been our way of life. Dousing the need for improvement or refinement.

Happy married life to the Ooni of Ife

The Igbo word for "head" is "isi". In both languages (English and Igbo) and I suppose in many other languages, " head" is used across different contexts; head of state, head of government,head of family, head of department, team head.

We all know how "almighty" these positions are.

This shows how important the word "head" (both as a noun and verb) is.

In the human body, the head is not any less important. Actually, it is even far more important. For on it depends many functioning of the entire body.

Given the complexity of functions coordinated in the "head", a " mis" or malfunction invariably has consequences that may manifest in different ways.

What happens when that happens?

Well, many things. Today we'll focus on how a malfunction of the "head" affects mood,thoughts and behavior; mental health.

Mental health may seem abstract to some people. It's understandable. After all, it's different from what we generally know as illness.

Is it,really? Are mental disorders any different from diseases of the body?

Well, as much as they all have their divergence, they still share some similarities. One of which is important to us today.

Just like some other health conditions, mental health and its disorders cut across people different ages, manifesting in different forms and affecting people in different ways.

In line with 2018 World Mental Health Day themed; "Young People and Mental Health in a Changing World", it's important we understand the dynamics of mental health in young people. Moreso in a changing world.

The umbrella of mental health and its disorders covers more than those walking naked in the street, or people who get to what they think is the end of the rope and they jump across Third Mainland bridge.

Mental health and its disorders influence our choice of friends, quality and duration of our relationships,aspirations we pursue or choose not to pursue, our ability to cope with good and bad situations. It also influences how well we handle irritability, anger and aggression. The list is endless.

We take for granted and undermine the complexities behind a well functioning mood thought and behavior.

Young people have their life ahead of them. A good state of mental well-being influences how well they enjoy their youth,explore and maximize opportunities during the time and prepare for their future.

It's a new world, none of us( the old and the young alike) have never lived in a world like today's world( 24 hour access to internet, massive mass media, vast array of intoxicating substances, full disclosure of divergent sexuality, ideas and thoughts). Its many opportunities and inherent dangers are not documented in history. We all live it as they unfold.

Change in behavior invariably follow these changing changes.

How are young people affected by this today? How will they be affected by it tomorrow?

Join M-Health Support Center to learn more.

#ShadesofUs

Coming Soon!

visit www.ezinnearua.com

It's important I start with a disclaimer; I am not an Economist, nor do I belong to a profession its specialty covers financial advisory. So technically, this is not a professional opinion. It's just the talk of a (lame-ass) fellow who has a pen in her hand and forms a charade of using it(well).

I'll go straight to the point.

First, RETAIN YOUR DIGNITY. Right to dignity is a fundamental human right. People protest and even file cases in court if they are treated without dignity.

So do not strip yourself of your dignity just because you're broke. You remain entitled to it. Not that you should go about acting like a peacock. You are broke honey, no one would tolerate such nonsense from you.

-BE HONEST TO YOURSELF ABOUT YOUR FINANCES, THEN BE HONEST TO OTHERS.
Just in case your account balance does not tell you enough truth, it's important you tell yourself the truth about how much money you have in your name. Not that you should imbibe a constant reminder of your penniless status, but do well to admit to yourself that you do not belong to the 30 billion gang. This would make it easier to admit same to others and for you to conduct yourself accordingly.

- LIVE BELOW YOUR MEANS. Yes, live below your means. After all, even rich people do( the real rich people oooo). A rich person does not exhaust his fortune just to "live the life". They fund their luxurious lifestyle out of the abundance of what they own.

Why should you who is broke use your last card, or even borrow just to keep up a 5 kobo lifestyle. What happened to 3kobo or even 2kobo lifestyle. Turn to those ones(joor).

- SEEK OUT OPPORTUNITIES: I don't have much words for this point, but keep in mind it says " seek out opportunities, not seek out HELP".

-DO NOT TAKE LOANS YOU DON'T HAVE A MEANS OF REPAYING. When down and out, it may be convenient to turn to borrowing. An influx of cash would go a long way to alleviate your condition. But please and please, do not go about sourcing for funds you know too well that you do not have a means of repaying. Keep in mind, you are not the (Nigerian) government. You cannot rake up debit and pass it onto your successor(s). You are you, your debt remains your problem and would taunt you until you seclude yourself. Till a simple knock on your door would spike your blood pressure. It may even be Jehovah's Witness preachers at the door who came to bring good news. But no, you insist on turning your child to a liar by threatening to kill him or her if they dire say you are inside.

-DO NOT PLUNGE YOUR ESTEEM. This is similar to the first point, but for emphasis sake,I'll restate it. You are still a person of worth regardless of how much you are worth.

Always keep that in mind.

- EXPECT FEW FRIENDS. Nkem Owoh(Osuofia) tried out his hands in music a decade ago(just like most of his colleagues at that time). He dished out pretty good songs ( I don't know why he hung up his singing boots). He had this track, "Know me when I'm poor". A line in the song says " rich man get brother, sister, uncle, cousin, aunty". Well, the opposite is the opposite; a poor man has none. So it's better not to disappoint yourself by expecting to have a flock of relatives and friends around you. It's even best that way, abi you get money to give them a decent refreshment if they keep coming around?

- The last and maybe the least DON'T FLOCK AROUND YOUR "KIND". Things beget things. Even if you feel you do not belong with the class of people you want to be like, you can keep to yourself as you work on yourself. Surrounding yourself with broke people may make you see your condition as norm and okay.

Keep in mind that the topic of this epistle is " how to SURVIVE " being broke. To survive in this context means to "outlive". So your condition is not permanent in Jesus name. AMEN.

PeaceOut.

PS: Please do not ask me how I know all these, you'll know I'm versatile(in Queen Latifa's voice).

visit www.ezinnearua.com for more

One of the highlights of Fmr. President Obansanjo’s presidency was his debt cancellation crusade and its success. Twenty years down the line, Nigeria has (easily) rebuilt the high debt profile and more debt keeps mounting. The same reality is seen across different states.

Just as the “curse of bank loans” make the debtors to unable to pay up their debts, so also with Nations. Keep in mind that Nigeria as a Nation has been unable to harness its resources and manage its finances. How then do they propose to earn enough money to pay back all the debits they amass?

In defence of Nigerians burdening debt profile, protagonists maintain that Nigeria has a relatively low debt profile, both in African and among other countries of the word. As leading nations such as the United States, United Kingdom and France taking the lead in high debt profile. We must not be too confident in this, these highly indebted economies have (relatively) thriving economies with considerable GDP. Economies that have turned many of their endeavours to billion-dollar industries; entertainment,mining,manufacturing,import and export,food,fashion,etc.But what do we have; poor electricity supply that cripples production and manufacturing, multiple taxation that discourage business, high eve of insecurity that scare investors, bad roads that hinders smooth transportation and corruption that amplifies them all.

Nonetheless, an over $15 billion dollar external debt status is worthy of (great) concern. The irony of it all is that most of the monies borrowed gets looted, smuggled out of the country were at best, they are saved(to the benefit of the host country) but typically they are plunged away in lavish expenses(still at the benefit of the host countries.

One would wonder, if the debt-shame that comes on poor debtors exists for poor indebted Nations, Nigerians would have more reasons to bury their heads in shame at the international front. Our reputation has already been tainted by fraud, human right abuse, insurgence, terror, corruption, and a further weigh down by debt. There is this joke about someone owing another person some money and whenever the creditor spots the debtor making luxurious expenses, he confronts him, mocking him for indulging in luxuries when he(or she) has unsettled debts. The fear of such embarrassment makes the debtor to either stop purchasing expensive, luxurious items, or to work hard and clear up the debts.

One would wonder if our international creditors look at us that way. With our embarrassing debt profile, we still have (one of) the highest paid legislators in the world. Our elected officials still accord themselves the good life on the account of the government. They still fly first class and lodge in most expensive hotels, ride in long motorcades, use latest models of cars and enjoy many other luxuries even the creditor-nations do not indulge themselves. All off the account of a nation, state that is overburdened in debt at the full glare of our creditors.

Among other things, our rising debt profile calls for the need to elect visionary leaders who are concerned about solving the problems of today and more importantly, leaders who invested in building a better tomorrow and not pillaging it today by mortgaging it in debt, leaders who know how best to manage what we have; natural resources and human resources alike.

We all have seen where people, usually poor people, are being hassled for debt they owe. They run from their house, hide from it. Get scared whenever they hear someone coming. They turn-off their phones and live like ghosts all in an attempt to hide from their creditors. Such scenes make owing debts seem like a very unfortunate predicament that brings shame and humiliation, stripping the individual of all dignity. It’s hard which is more indignifying between begging and owing.

Like I noted earlier, this is usually common among poor debtors. Not that rich people do not owe debt, actually, they owe even more, staggering amounts. You know what they say, big man big trouble. I don’t know how well this applies in debt. A person who commands a minimal level of wealth or affluence may be hassled by banks or Police or have their properties foreclosed. But at a higher level up the ladder of fame and affluence, you see that people on that pedestrian are “pampered” for their debits. They go on and accumulate so much debt and when things become dire, government even comes to their rescue by bailing them out with supply of funds. No drama, no shame. It’s almost as if the wealthier a person is, the more indifferent they are to owing debt. Apparently, the shame and embarrassment that comes upon the poor debtor is not (also) accorded to the rich one.

People used to say that there is a curse that follows people who borrow money from Banks. They say no matter how hard the individual tries, they are usually unable to pay up the loan and its interests, thereby losing their property which was used as collateral to foreclosure. Not to undermine the potency of curses, but different factors undermine the viability of a business(idea), more especially in our Nigerian environment. And when these factors come into play, they undermine the take-off or success of the business(idea), thereby leading to its struggle or eventual collapse. Hence the owner’s inability to pay up the loan borrowed for its set-up.

A report by AMCON(Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria) says that just 350 Nigerians owe the company 4.3 trillion of its 5.4 trillion debt. Some time ago, the Central bank of Nigeria released the names of the country’s highest debtors and the list was shocking as it featured the names and companies of very reputable people in our society. People may have thought that the wealth of these affluent people comes from profits and success, not knowing, they are living off borrowed money.

Not just individuals owe, companies, governments (LGs, States, Federal) all incur debts too. Regardless, a debit is a debt and is an embarrassment to the debtor, or should be whether the debtor is an individual, a company, a state or a country.
Most states in Nigerian owe staggering debts, if not all and as the country, our debt profile is monumental. And as a continent, it’s even more so. Like I already said, it seems the higher the debt, the more indifferent the debtors are, or seem to it.

Practically, debt means cutting into funds from your future. With the reckless abandon our Nigerian states and federal govt accumulate debt, one would wonder what would be left to spend and enjoy in the future if we mortgage all of its funds today. Currently, 24% our national budget goes into debt servicing. And ironically, the budget is running on deficit already, ie, we are going to borrow to run our costs and borrow to pay our debts too. In 2017, 2.014 trillion was voted for debt servicing. This year, 2.01 trillion of the 9.12 trillion in the national budget is to go to debt servicing.

One would then wonder when the vicious cycle of indebtedness would end, both for our country and our continent. In the event we become a progressive nation, a portion of our progress would be sunk into paying up the debts amassed over the years. This one fact has kept Nigeria and most African countries in an unprogressive rut.

A pop-star Bono of the U2 fame in the 90s was moved by the poverty, hunger and famine that plagued and still plagues some African countries. In the benevolence of his heart, he rallied his rich friends round and they organized concerts to raise funds to aid the impoverished and dying Africans. Is effort was a great success as at some point he was able to raise $200 million. A staggering amount in today’s world, more so in the 90s. Yet, even after the money was expended(judiciously), the poverty, hunger and feminine remained. A little research revealed that these African countries cough out amount that same amount in debt repayment in one week only. This led Bono to begin his debt cancellation campaign which has achieved great success since it began. But with African countries(and debt), it seems “great success” is hardly enough.

We all have seen where people, usually poor people, are being hassled for debt they owe. They run from their house, hide from it. Get scared whenever they hear someone coming. They turn-off their phones and live like ghosts all in an attempt to hide from their creditors. Such scenes make owing debts seem like a very unfortunate predicament that brings shame and humiliation, stripping the individual of all dignity. It’s hard which is more indignifying between begging and owing.

Like I noted earlier, this is usually common among poor debtors. Not that rich people do not owe debt, actually, they owe even more, staggering amounts. You know what they say, big man big trouble. I don’t know how well this applies in debt. A person who commands a minimal level of wealth or affluence may be hassled by banks or Police or have their properties foreclosed. But at a higher level up the ladder of fame and affluence, you see that people on that pedestrian are “pampered” for their debits. They go on and accumulate so much debt and when things become dire, government even comes to their rescue by bailing them out with supply of funds. No drama, no shame. It’s almost as if the wealthier a person is, the more indifferent they are to owing debt. Apparently, the shame and embarrassment that comes upon the poor debtor is not (also) accorded to the rich one.

People used to say that there is a curse that follows people who borrow money from Banks. They say no matter how hard the individual tries, they are usually unable to pay up the loan and its interests, thereby losing their property which was used as collateral to foreclosure. Not to undermine the potency of curses, but different factors undermine the viability of a business(idea), more especially in our Nigerian environment. And when these factors come into play, they undermine the take-off or success of the business(idea), thereby leading to its struggle or eventual collapse. Hence the owner’s inability to pay up the loan borrowed for its set-up.

A report by AMCON(Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria) says that just 350 Nigerians owe the company 4.3 trillion of its 5.4 trillion debt. Some time ago, the Central bank of Nigeria released the names of the country’s highest debtors and the list was shocking as it featured the names and companies of very reputable people in our society. People may have thought that the wealth of these affluent people comes from profits and success, not knowing, they are living off borrowed money.

Not just individuals owe, companies, governments (LGs, States, Federal) all incur debts too. Regardless, a debit is a debt and is an embarrassment to the debtor, or should be whether the debtor is an individual, a company, a state or a country.
Most states in Nigerian owe staggering debts, if not all and as the country, our debt profile is monumental. And as a continent, it’s even more so. Like I already said, it seems the higher the debt, the more indifferent the debtors are, or seem to it.

Practically, debt means cutting into funds from your future. With the reckless abandon our Nigerian states and federal govt accumulate debt, one would wonder what would be left to spend and enjoy in the future if we mortgage all of its funds today. Currently, 24% our national budget goes into debt servicing. And ironically, the budget is running on deficit already, ie, we are going to borrow to run our costs and borrow to pay our debts too. In 2017, 2.014 trillion was voted for debt servicing. This year, 2.01 trillion of the 9.12 trillion in the national budget is to go to debt servicing.

One would then wonder when the vicious cycle of indebtedness would end, both for our country and our continent. In the event we become a progressive nation, a portion of our progress would be sunk into paying up the debts amassed over the years. This one fact has kept Nigeria and most African countries in an unprogressive rut.

A pop-star Bono of the U2 fame in the 90s was moved by the poverty, hunger and famine that plagued and still plagues some African countries. In the benevolence of his heart, he rallied his rich friends round and they organized concerts to raise funds to aid the impoverished and dying Africans. Is effort was a great success as at some point he was able to raise $200 million. A staggering amount in today’s world, more so in the 90s. Yet, even after the money was expended(judiciously), the poverty, hunger and feminine remained. A little research revealed that these African countries cough out amount that same amount in debt repayment in one week only. This led Bono to begin his debt cancellation campaign which has achieved great success since it began. But with African countries(and debt), it seems “great success” is hardly enough.

There’s a Nigerian movie titled “October 1”, produced and directed by the fine Kunle Afolayan. It’s one of these very impressive Nigerian movies that can be categorized as “foreign Nigerian movies”. The movie held its audience spell-bound till the very end. You could not predicate what may happen the next second so you just had to sit tight and see for yourself.

Given the significance October 1 holds in Nigeria, one would quickly assume that the movie is themed around politics. Well, far from it. The movie was about a serial killer who always raped his victims before killing them. Just that events of the story happened around the time we were granted independence.

The killer was highly calculative and seemed to always be a step ahead of the Police officer who was transferred to the village specifically to unravel the misery behind all the killings. Well, the killer turned out to be the Prince of the village who had recently returned after many years of glorious exploits in pursuit of education, becoming the first graduate of the village. Making his father, the King proud and affirming that royalty really has the finest.

This is not a movie review, but the background of that movie is similar to my discussion. Recently, reports were received on long records of sexual abuse by Catholic Priests. Though the records unravelled are for a particular state in the United States, but it would be denial to think that cases of sexual abuse by Priests is peculiar to just that parish, church or state.
I already told you the movie, October 1 was quite intriguing. You see, it was unraveled that the serial killer and rapist was a victim of sexual abuse in the hands of a Priest almost throughout his duration in secondary school.

The long duration of the abuse is really disheartening, more so is the fact that the killer was not the only one who was abused. As twisted as the movie was, the young Prince and another boy won a scholarship to study in a boarding school managed by a church. The other boy returned home, abandoning the school and education entirely(abhorring both afterwards) and never told anyone why. The reason for his “drop-out” was unraveled alongside the identity of the killer. It turned out they both, and other boys in the school then were being molested by a Priest. The other boy could not take it any longer and he returned home. Forgoing the opportunity of acquiring education and all other opportunities that may come with being educated.

The recent report implicating Catholic Priests across six Catholic Dioceses in Pennsylvania in many decades of sexual molestation and abuse on children and other parishioners is a rude scandal both for/to the Roman Catholic church and the Christendom at large.

As more information is being uncovered, revealing many years of amoral acts that was carried out and covered-up by people many people look up to for moral guidance and standard. A scandal like this leads many to a crisis of fate, worse still in a world like ours today that is in disarray of beliefs and what to believe. Going by the narration in October 1, who knows how many people that have given up on opportunities just because they could not live the horrors of living a life of everyday abuse? Or how many people that were able to “cope with it” and went on to live fractured lives, harming and causing others pain.

Over the years, “men of God” have been implicated in allegations of misdealings and heinous acts. These allegations are not restricted to matters of sexuality only. One thing this scandal should teach is first, the (now) undeniable reality of sexual abuse in the church. Secondly, the fallibility of Catholic Priests and the church(and all of its members) at large. We should look at this second point from a positive angle for it would soothe the guilt that plagues many hearts. For it is easy to seek redemption if you recognize and admit your own fallibility.

Follow the link to read the full article.

http://www.ezinnearua.com/2018/08/16/sexual-abuse-scandal-catholic-priests-version/

I have never entered a plane before. Not one bound for a local or international flight. Not even the one parked at a hangar.

So please hope you will forgive my ignorance because I would really want to know.

Abeg them dey pray open prayer for inside plane immediately the flight takes off. I mean the kind of prayer that is prayed in buses once the driver kicks the ignition.

I don't know, that's why I ask.




Follow the link for the full article.

http://www.ezinnearua.com/2018/05/26/pray-as-you-go/

High poverty level is worrisome. Or it should, because poverty comes along with many effects; hunger and starvation, lack of access to quality health care, education, opportunities, high crime rate and a host of other social, economic, environmental, health problems, etc. All these are glaring and undeniable in our Nigerian society.

Corruption, mismanagement( both in the system and in our individual lives)illiteracy, lack of education, conflict and crisis, all have in no little measure left us in the rut. It is important we explore every means necessary to make progress. We must consider that an imperative.

Follow the link to read the full article


http://www.ezinnearua.com/2018/06/24/nigerians-and-poverty/

It seems Depression only gets attention when it "accumulates" to suicide, as the sufferer takes their own life. Of course, that raises a lot of reaction in people, more of condemnation than sympathy or pity.

Depression is one of the leading causes of suicide. But it does not only, always lead to suicide. It affects people in many ways than trying to end their lives.

Depression is thwarting, self thwarting. Suicide is when she sufferer decides to end their life, but (long) before then, they would have ended many things in their life. They choose to withdraw into themselves, shutting everybody and everything out,ending their social life . They end pleasurable activities, or anything that may lead to it. They reduce interaction with people, and shy away from having conversations with people- friends, relatives, colleagues. They input less in their workplace, and give any and every reason to keep to themselves.

Depression is like darkness that takes away light from peoples lives. It is a disorder, with it's own classification and diagnosis, and treatment too, just like any health problem you know. Sufferers do not deserve condemnation, after all do we condemn people for having headaches, or being hypertensive.

It does not "fall on" only the weak or the poor. It does not affect only people who have are experiencing life challenges that seem unsurmountable. Depression can happen to even those who have everything working out great for them in their lives. It can happen to you, your father,your mother,your child,your friend, your colleague, your Accountant, your Professor, your Mentor, your Superstar, your Priest, your Doctor, and it can happen to me.

Long before people attempt to end their lives, they must have lost their glow, their shine, motivation and inspiration. They had stopped being alive, lively, chatty, happy, and fun to be around. We must not wait till it's too late before we recognize the signs in retrospect.

visit www.ezinnearua.com for more

The World Cup hasn’t even began and Nigeria is already recording impressive strides. First, we learned that the Nigerian jersey is to be sold for a whooping N41,000.

Just a jersey.

Then we heard 3 million kits had already been pre-ordered. Followed by the news that our jersey is raked the best among all other national jersey designs to be worn by players in the world cup.

Next, we learned the Nigerian jersey has been sold out in minutes. All of it; the home and away kits and the training kits as well.

Woww.

To cap it up, our players got a Presidential farewell.

What better morale booster do we need?

We all know how important “dressing right is”, suffice to say, we are dressed for success. If that is the only prepping we need, we can be sure we would become World Cup Champions.

But best cloths does not win World Cup, you know, best legs do.

But we know grapping the World Cup requires far more than wearing the finest apparel. All our faith lies in the performance of our formidable team. I remember the might of Vincent Enyema at the last World Cup. If Francis Uzoho can replicate that, or even better, beat Enyema’s performance at the last World Cup, then we stand a good chance of not conceding too many goals.

We watched Mikel Obi do exploits in Chelsea FC for over a decade, and has shown enough promise to earn Captainship. That should give us more confidence.

Then we have Victor Moses and Ahmed Musa, our regular golden boys at the World Cup. I pray Iheancho brings on the Leicester City effect for us; their power of resurrection that shot them from the relegation to Champions two seasons ago.

It will be a sin if I forget to mention Alex Iwobi. Our fresh boy. Our wonder boy. Thanks to him, we locked our place at the qualifiers and onwards to the World Cup proper. We hope for the best of him and we have so much faith in him, lets pray he doesn’t disappoint. That he makes his make in the

Football is a beautiful game. It has always been. It gets us all on feet. Brings us all together.

Now it’s time to cheer our very own; The Super Eagles. Onto them we look, in hope and in pride. And in the spirit of Sportsmanship, we will rejoice, come what may.

We all would agree that Nigerians have made great fortune off import.

We are famously an import dependent Nation. Living off products from other countries; the cloths on our backs, the shoe on our feet, the food we eat,the car we drive, the nails holding our hinges,just name it, are largely imported.

How about putting ourselves out there. How about we,you, offer the world something. Maybe the fruit that grows at your backyard, tailerloads of yam you can easily source, or palm oil your village is reputed for.

How about we make great fortune from Export as well?

You'd like to learn how?

Join renowned International Trade Navigators and learn more about export at the Export Training coming up on 9th June,2018.

It's an event you must not miss!!!

Trade. Export. Earn.

I watched a group of children playing one day. There was a young girl, aged 8 at most, with her 6-month old brother seated on the hips she did not have. She had to push out her left hip so her brother could balance on her body.

At that moment, the figure-8 contour of the body of a developing or developed female made perfect sense to me. The thin waist and the enlarged hip is to hold and balance a child, perfectly. The straight contour of a prepuberty child does not offer all the “allowance”.
I watched the little girl adjust her brother repeatedly on her (straight) body. She watched other children skip rope. When it got to her turn to hop, she put her baby brother down and hopped her hop. Soon her mother returned and she had to hurry back into the house to go and complete a chore she had been assigned to do.
This is a child living under the love and protection of her mother.

We are usually quick to castigate pedophiles for putting children through adult activities. But all around us, we see children been “advanced” in duties and responsibilities that is far beyond their age.

We have almost children everything- child hustlers, child brides, child nannies, child house helps, child soldiers,child farmers, etc. Children who at very early ages are burdened with responsibilities that they are too young to bear.

If we can draw up a Statistics of cash flow that is generated through child labour in our economy, we would all be shocked. i know it is impossible to shield children from the economic realities of the family they are born into,buy apportioning them income to earn or generate at such early ages is almost cruel.

At early ages, children begin to risk their lives, are expected to make (good) decisions, cater for other children, etc. And at any point they fail at any of these, they are reprimanded in any way the adult deems fit. And given our African culture, a child who is been “corrected” is not expected to say “pim”.

No one came into the world fully grown, nature made it so. Growth and maturation allow humans time to gradually learn and adapt to our environment. We hardly allow our children this gradually development anymore. Almost everything is expected of them too soon, now. Their muscles, intelligence, experience needs to develop before they become ripe enough to take up adult responsibilities.

What is most heart wrenching is the emotions these little children are faced with everyday-vented anger and frustration of adults around them, verbal abuse, foul language, and all of its likes. People hardly care about shielding children’s innocence anymore.
One of my most heart felt prayers is that children of tomorrow would not suffer the consequences of all our today’s actions, as they would be smart enough to chart a better course for themselves and find solutions to all the problems we cause today.

Visit www.ezinnearua.com

I lived with a member of Jehovah’s Witness once. I must say, she was ordinary, or maybe should I say, “normal”, or more like “ideal”. We lived together with other young girls. Whenever we wanted to be “social”, we always excluded her because we thought she would not want to participate in “that kind of thing”. One day, she called us to “order” and told us squarely to always ask her first if she was interested in any activity we wanted to engage in before excluding her.

That worked out fine.

In little time, we stopped asking. As we saw that she was almost just like us. We saw that our moral standards were not so different after all. I don’t know if it’s that we too had good morals or that she had chosen to live below “their” own standard. I’m really not sure.

I have more Jehovah Witnesses as friends now. I did not know most of them were “Witnesses” before we kicked off very normal relationships. I have a few of them as neighbors, and we even have a Worship Center in my neighborhood.

Somehow, some of us grew up with this perception that Jehovah Witnesses are a different kind of people. Not in a bad way, or in a better way. We just saw them as distinct from other people, or from other Christians to be precise.

While growing up, we all knew them. They were the people who walked up to every door in the neighborhood to teach us about God. They shared their own ways, and allowed you to argue about yours. They always went around in groups, mixed up like a family setting; man woman, youth and children. There is this sheer humility you see in them. It’s as if the humility comes upon them once they set out to evangelize, because we know some of them before and after they assumed the Evangelist persona. They always spoke calmly and were never imposing in their discussion.

One remarkable thing about them was that they always left behind a pamphlet before they leave. You see, some people used to run at their sight, but their pamphlets were hard to pass up. That was the catch for most of us.

I remember one of the pamphlets was called “Watch Tower”.
Before the proliferation of the internet, Watch Tower was a source of assorted information that you cannot find anywhere within your radius. It contained information and knowledge that was not taught in the classroom and we would hardly find in the books within your reach. The pamphlet was versatile in its discussion and content. It contained inspiring stories of people from different parts of the world, primitive and sophisticated lifestyles from other cultures, biographies and autobiographies of great people in history, stories of people who survived wars, feminine. It broke down Science, Technology, Biology in a way everyone would understand it. It shone light on the plant and animal kingdom, the simplicity in their complexity.

In all these, Watch Tower always attributed the ingenuity of the creations, success, survival, inspiration to God Almighty.
I consider that beautiful, very beautiful.

It shows the omniscience of God. It teaches us about a God who is more than merciful and kind, a God whose knowledge is awe-inspiring. A God who is knowledge personified.
An awakening such as this would set you on a quest to seek and find knowledge, to know it and to apply it. That would make you search out God as more than a supreme being who can make you rich and take away all you sorrows.

With the level of chaos in religion and the bastardization of Christianity in our world today, sometimes I wonder how God wants us to worship him and serve him. I don’t know, but I must say, the ways of the Witnesses are quite impressive.

Sadly, I haven’t seen them evangelize for sometime now.

Maybe I haven’t been looking ( but we hardly needed to look then, they came to us). I don’t know. Maybe my locality has been “covered”, or maybe their evangelism has gone digital, abandoning terrestrial coverage completely. But I refuse to remotely entertain the question of whether the mantle was passed on to the younger generation.

Peace be upon you all.

Visit www.ezinnearua.com for more.
Follow Handler: Arua Ezinne @SpearsZed

'Concussion', a movie about a Nigerian Doctor who made a significant discovery on the impact of multiple concussions on the health of Rugby players. The role of the Doctor was played by Will Smith. Nigerians were quick to condemn Will Smith for not interpreting the role effectively because he did not speak in Nigerian accent, considering that the character he was playing was born and bred in Nigeria. They said he did not make efforts to learn how Nigerians speak before playing the role. The trailer of the movie was catchy and I made efforts to watch the movie ASAP. Indeed Smith did not speak in an accent that is similar to what I know as Nigerian accent.

But it occurred to me that alot of us don't really know how a true Nigerian accent sounds. We hear it less and less everyday. The Banker that attends to you does not sound like it, neither does the flight attendant on your local flight, nor the school teacher or the Pastor in your church, or the presenter of your favorite radio program,the list is endless.

Indeed Hollywood has a very fallible portrayal of the Nigerian sound,but also our Nollywood has proved to be misleading as well. Our actors and actresses mostly the young ones believe that the more foreign or more precisely the more American you sound, the more polished you appear. This further confuses the general populance on what the Nigerian sound truly is like. When you watch Ghanaian movies or a movie from Kenya, you hear their sound, a sound that is unique to only them, a sound they choose to retain, a sound they choose not to polish away.

If you watch 'new generation' Television channels or programs, you will almost be confused. You will wonder if the broadcast is for Nigerians or some other populance that only understands foreign accents...... hence the need to strive at it. I will forever be endeared to the voices of Ruth Benemesia Opia, Cyril Stober, Shola Atere, Frank Edoho, etc. They do not speak too fast nor too slowly, we need not strain our ears to hear them clearly and most importantly they(still) sound 100% Nigerian.

Somehow we have the mentality that you speak good English only when you sound foreign. Chinua Achebe and Wole Soyinka are internationally recognized grammarians . With rich knowledge of syntax, phonetics and all the rules of English Language but when they speak, you still hear the Nigerian in them. You may say they are old school, but even our 21st Century Chimamanda Adiche still retains her Nigerian sound.

If these English Language gaints still 'speak home' why does the 19 year-old girl from Mbaise feel the need and pressure to cultivate a fake accent as soon as she is admitted into the University or the 28 year old dude who suddenly echos British accent just because he is trying to chat a lady up.

Accent is the crust of a language. It is a form of identification or signature that you carry around everywhere you go. It reveals where you are coming from, how far you have come and how rich your experience of life is. Everywhere we have them different, the thick crust of the Russian tone, the loose rhyme of the American flow, the guarded sound of the British, the heavy wordings of the Yorubas', the high pitch of the Hausas' and the peculiar tone of the Igbos'. None is more beautiful than the other. If we continue to erode our accents, how would we know whether we are close to a brother or sister when we are in a distant land.

Indeed we should remain in awe of our different accents, but a person need not strive to sound like another, such attempts are hardly ever successful. You may succeed in eroding your home accent but you may never fully pick up another, you will still sound different from them.

We are Nigerians, we should show our pride through the way we choose to sound and groom our children the same way.

Visit www.ezinnearua.com for me

This “Bae Allowance” of a thing is seeming not to fade away, and it’s gradually becoming a sort of barge of dishonor latched on women as being vampiress money-sucking creatures who hold men for no other value asides the material and cash gifts they can afford to bestow on them, or are willing to.

Really, I doubt women or situations set-out to become (a) trade, with the man exchanging money, gifts for the sex both the man and woman enjoyed.

You see, when a person(man or woman) is attracted to another( I don’t mean on a platonic level), sexual feelings make-up part of the attraction. Anyone who is arguing otherwise is being untrue to themselves.

That is why it is called “chemistry”, and chemistry is never one-sided, though its mutuality may be elicited. This “elicitation of mutuality” may take time, involve enticement, persuasion and convincing. Whatever it takes, just make the other feel the same way.

Remember I already said sexual feelings compose part of attraction. So if you focus on getting someone to like(love) you, somewhere down the line, maybe sooner, later, or much(much) later, the other person would invariably develop sexual desires for you(too).

Sometimes people (men) are not willing to let things run this course. They want the sexual bond sooner than later, talk less of much(much) later, and would make inducements to elicit it and/or sustain it.

In the same vein, when you are attracted to someone, you are (more) generous, kind-hearted and open to them. Men and women alike. In plain words, you would freely give them without reservation. Even when not exerted( when they don’t ask), people freely gift their love interest.

Once you attain a certain threshold of loving someone, everything becomes easy; the giving and the taking. That is why a penniless man can still find love and enjoy all the pleasure(s) within without spending the fortune he does not have. And that is why all women are not prostitutes who lay their backs on the ground for the highest bidder.

In essence, give it time, a woman would long for intimacy with a man she likes and a man will be willing to buy a woman he loves heaven and earth(as long as he can afford it).

The complications that give rise to the Bae allowance thingy is when either one party narrows down their attraction for the other to sexual desires or materialistic gain, and then focus their quest on achieving that promptly, giving all it may take to accomplish the mission.

Some men are all sexually attracted to women they chase, nothing else, and some women only love the big pockets of the men in their life. Remove any of these from the relationship, then all the attraction is gone.

Another thing is that it’s norm for men to go for women who are younger than they are. Many years, decades younger. By this, men enter relationships with women who when they, the men, were the same age as the younger women are now, they hadn’t achieved much themselves, material wise, and were dependent on others at that time. Maybe the young girl is still a student, apprentice or a graduate without employment, or newly employed and yet to gain her feet on the ground. A stage the older male had passed in the past given that he is other. And was not any more buoyant than the girl at that stage of his life.

Remember I have already talked about generosity (willingness to give and share) being part loving someone. So being in the young(er) girl’s life, the man (may) out of the generosity cater for some of her needs.

The older women who already earn a means of livelihood are usually feared to be “too independent”. That is almost funny. Dependence or independence does not mean someone who lives off another or who does not live off another, rather it represents someone who has the incapacity or the capacity to live off themselves. And the former should not be a bad thing. It should not negate a woman for whatever reason. Either for the protection of the ego of a man or for the fear of her dominance.

#I’llbeback#
#okbye#

Visit www.ezinnearua.com for more.

This “Bae Allowance” of a thing is seeming not to fade away, and it’s gradually becoming a sort of barge of dishonor latched on women as being vampiress money-sucking creatures who hold men for no other value asides the material and cash gifts they can afford to bestow on them, or are willing to.

Really, I doubt women or situations set-out to become (a) trade, with the man exchanging money, gifts for the sex both the man and woman enjoyed.

You see, when a person(man or woman) is attracted to another( I don’t mean on a platonic level), sexual feelings make-up part of the attraction. Anyone who is arguing otherwise is being untrue to themselves.

That is why it is called “chemistry”, and chemistry is never one-sided, though its mutuality may be elicited. This “elicitation of mutuality” may take time, involve enticement, persuasion and convincing. Whatever it takes, just make the other feel the same way.

Remember I already said sexual feelings compose part of attraction. So if you focus on getting someone to like(love) you, somewhere down the line, maybe sooner, later, or much(much) later, the other person would invariably develop sexual desires for you(too).

Sometimes people (men) are not willing to let things run this course. They want the sexual bond sooner than later, talk less of much(much) later, and would make inducements to elicit it and/or sustain it.

In the same vein, when you are attracted to someone, you are (more) generous, kind-hearted and open to them. Men and women alike. In plain words, you would freely give them without reservation. Even when not exerted( when they don’t ask), people freely gift their love interest.

Once you attain a certain threshold of loving someone, everything becomes easy; the giving and the taking. That is why a penniless man can still find love and enjoy all the pleasure(s) within without spending the fortune he does not have. And that is why all women are not prostitutes who lay their backs on the ground for the highest bidder.

In essence, give it time, a woman would long for intimacy with a man she likes and a man will be willing to buy a woman he loves heaven and earth(as long as he can afford it).

The complications that give rise to the Bae allowance thingy is when either one party narrows down their attraction for the other to sexual desires or materialistic gain, and then focus their quest on achieving that promptly, giving all it may take to accomplish the mission.

Some men are all sexually attracted to women they chase, nothing else, and some women only love the big pockets of the men in their life. Remove any of these from the relationship, then all the attraction is gone.

Another thing is that it’s norm for men to go for women who are younger than they are. Many years, decades younger. By this, men enter relationships with women who when they, the men, were the same age as the younger women are now, they hadn’t achieved much themselves, material wise, and were dependent on others at that time. Maybe the young girl is still a student, apprentice or a graduate without employment, or newly employed and yet to gain her feet on the ground. A stage the older male had passed in the past given that he is other. And was not any more buoyant than the girl at that stage of his life.

Remember I have already talked about generosity (willingness to give and share) being part loving someone. So being in the young(er) girl’s life, the man (may) out of the generosity cater for some of her needs.

The older women who already earn a means of livelihood are usually feared to be “too independent”. That is almost funny. Dependence or independence does not mean someone who lives off another or who does not live off another, rather it represents someone who has the incapacity or the capacity to live off themselves. And the former should not be a bad thing. It should not negate a woman for whatever reason. Either for the protection of the ego of a man or for the fear of her dominance.

#I’llbeback#
#okbye#

Whenever I tell someone I just met that I am from Ebonyi state,the 'revelation' is usually met with a suprise.It's a lie,how can you say you are from Ebonyi State. Ok,maybe you were not raised there abi?You dont look it.You speak good English,you look exposed and intelligent.

I just usually laugh and ask,ok where do I look like I come from?

Delta state is the state people have guessed the most. Honestly I do not know whether to call it a compliment but I refuse to consider it as one or that most people just have a misconstrued view about Ebonyi people.

And I ask,please where did you get the impression that people from Ebonyi State do not speak good English and are not exposed and are not intelligent from?How many people from Ebonyi have you met before,and usually they have never met anyone else from Ebonyi state,so only God knows where their notion of Ebonyi people comes from.We are expected to be timid,dull,unambitious, ectera ectera.

I am not saying Ebonyians are without blemish but the stereotype is too strong and far removed from reality.

We are smart, talented,intelligent, innovative,hardworking, honest, ambitious,peace loving,God fearing,ectera ectera.I have Ebonyi brothers and sisters that would give you a run for your money in any sphere of human endeavour.I do not mean unto local champions level o,I mean internationally.People that strived from the bottom and made it to prominence through sheer hardwork and intelligence and of course by the Grace of God.

I will not begin to name prolific Ebonyians that make headlines,that would be a cheap way of making my point.

But please next time,do not be confounded because I exhibit traits that you do not ordinarily characterize my people with.I am not more because you see my people as less.

THE NIGERIAN SOUND.

'Concussion', a movie about a Nigerian Doctor who made a significant discovery on the impact of multiple concussions on the health of Rugby players. The role of the Doctor was played by Will Smith. Nigerians were quick to condemn Will Smith for not interpreting the role effectively because he did not speak in Nigerian accent, considering that the character he was playing was born and bred in Nigeria. They said he did not make efforts to learn how Nigerians speak before playing the role. The trailer of the movie was catchy and I made efforts to watch the movie ASAP. Indeed Smith did not speak in an accent that is similar to what I know as Nigerian accent.

But it occurred to me that alot of us don't really know how a true Nigerian accent sounds. We hear it less and less everyday. The Banker that attends to you does not sound like it, neither does the flight attendant on your local flight, nor the school teacher or the Pastor in your church, or the presenter of your favorite radio program,the list is endless.

Indeed Hollywood has a very fallible portrayal of the Nigerian sound,but also our Nollywood has proved to be misleading as well. Our actors and actresses mostly the young ones believe that the more foreign or more precisely the more American you sound, the more polished you appear. This further confuses the general populance on what the Nigerian sound truly is like. When you watch Ghanaian movies or a movie from Kenya, you hear their sound, a sound that is unique to only them, a sound they choose to retain, a sound they choose not to polish away.

If you watch 'new generation' Television channels or programs, you will almost be confused. You will wonder if the broadcast is for Nigerians or some other populance that only understands foreign accents...... hence the need to strive at it. I will forever be endeared to the voices of Ruth Benemesia Opia, Cyril Stober, Shola Atere, Frank Edoho, etc. They do not speak too fast nor too slowly, we need not strain our ears to hear them clearly and most importantly they(still) sound 100% Nigerian.

Somehow we have the mentality that you speak good English only when you sound foreign. Chinua Achebe and Wole Soyinka are internationally recognized grammarians . With rich knowledge of syntax, phonetics and all the rules of English Language but when they speak, you still hear the Nigerian in them. You may say they are old school, but even our 21st Century Chimamanda Adiche still retains her Nigerian sound.

If these English Language gaints still 'speak home' why does the 19 year-old girl from Mbaise feel the need and pressure to cultivate a fake accent as soon as she is admitted into the University or the 28 year old dude who suddenly echos British accent just because he is trying to chat a lady up.

Accent is the crust of a language. It is a form of identification or signature that you carry around everywhere you go. It reveals where you are coming from, how far you have come and how rich your experience of life is. Everywhere we have them different, the thick crust of the Russian tone, the loose rhyme of the American flow, the guarded sound of the British, the heavy wordings of the Yorubas', the high pitch of the Hausas' and the peculiar tone of the Igbos'. None is more beautiful than the other. If we continue to erode our accents, how would we know whether we are close to a brother or sister when we are in a distant land.

Indeed we should remain in awe of our different accents, but a person need not strive to sound like another, such attempts are hardly ever successful. You may succeed in eroding your home accent but you may never fully pick up another, you will still sound different from them.

We are Nigerians, we should show our pride through the way we choose to sound and groom our children the same way.