The Lioness' Den

Balancing Work and Health: Breast Cancer Awareness for Working Women

2024-02-24T01:40:00.001+00:00

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is a perfect time to discuss the importance of balancing work and health, especially for working women. It can be challenging for women to maintain good health while juggling a career and family life. Breast cancer is the most deadliest cancer in Nigeria followed by Cervical and Prostrate Cancer and early detection is crucial to successful treatment. In this blog post, we will explore the ways in which working women can prioritize their health and reduce their risk of developing breast cancer. From healthy lifestyle choices to regular screenings, we%u2019ll provide practical tips and advice that can help you balance work and health and take control of your life. Read on to discover how you can stay healthy and raise awareness for breast cancer this month and beyond.

1. Introduction: The importance of balancing work and health for working women

Introduction:
For working women, balancing the demands of a career with personal health and well-being is often a delicate juggling act. In today's fast-paced world, where deadlines loom large and schedules are packed to the brim, the necessity of maintaining a healthy work-life balance cannot be overstated. This balance becomes even more crucial when considering health issues that specifically affect women, such as breast cancer. As we delve into the significance of harmonizing work responsibilities with health priorities, it becomes evident that awareness and proactive measures play a vital role in ensuring the overall well-being of working women. Join us on this journey as we explore the intricate relationship between work and health, with a special focus on breast cancer awareness in the workplace.

2. Understanding breast cancer: Risk factors, symptoms, and prevention

Understanding breast cancer is crucial for all women, especially those who are balancing work and health. Being aware of the risk factors, symptoms, and prevention methods can significantly impact early detection and treatment outcomes.

Risk factors for breast cancer include age, family history, genetic mutations, hormonal factors, lifestyle choices, and environmental factors. It is important for working women to be proactive in understanding their individual risk factors and discussing them with their healthcare providers.

Recognizing the symptoms of breast cancer, such as a lump in the breast or underarm, changes in breast size or shape, nipple discharge or inversion, and skin changes on the breast, is vital for early detection. Regular self-exams and annual mammograms can help detect breast cancer at an early stage when treatment is most effective.

Prevention of breast cancer involves maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a balanced diet, limited alcohol consumption, and avoiding tobacco products. Working women can also consider genetic testing, hormone therapy, and preventive surgeries in consultation with healthcare professionals.

By understanding breast cancer risk factors, symptoms, and prevention strategies, working women can take proactive steps to prioritize their health and well-being while managing the demands of their professional lives.

3. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle: Diet, exercise, and stress management tips

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial for working women, especially when it comes to reducing the risk of breast cancer. A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help support overall health and wellbeing. Incorporating regular exercise into your daily routine, such as brisk walking, yoga, or strength training, can help manage weight, reduce stress, and improve heart health.

Stress management is also key in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. High levels of stress can negatively impact both physical and mental health, so it's important to find ways to unwind and relax. Practicing mindfulness techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing exercises, can help reduce stress levels and promote a sense of calm.

Remember to prioritize self-care and listen to your body's needs. Taking breaks throughout the workday, getting enough sleep, and staying hydrated are simple yet effective ways to support your overall health and well-being. By incorporating these diet, exercise, and stress management tips into your daily routine, you can help reduce your risk of breast cancer and promote a healthier lifestyle as a working woman.

4. Breast cancer screening and early detection: Importance and guidelines

Breast cancer screening and early detection play a crucial role in saving lives and improving outcomes for individuals. It is essential for working women to prioritize their health by understanding the importance of regular screenings and following guidelines recommended by healthcare professionals.

Regular breast cancer screenings, such as mammograms and clinical breast exams, can help detect any abnormalities at an early stage when the chances of successful treatment are higher. Working women should be proactive in scheduling these screenings as recommended by their age and risk factors.

Health organizations recommend that women over the age of 40 should undergo annual mammograms, while younger women should discuss their individual risk factors with their healthcare providers to determine the appropriate screening schedule. Additionally, conducting regular self-breast exams can help women become familiar with their bodies and detect any changes that may warrant further investigation.

By emphasizing the significance of breast cancer screening and early detection in the workplace, employers can support their female employees in prioritizing their health. Encouraging open conversations about breast health, providing resources for screenings, and promoting a healthy work-life balance can contribute to creating a supportive environment for working women to take charge of their well-being.

5. Support networks: Resources and organizations for working women with breast cancer

Creating a strong support network is crucial for working women facing breast cancer. It's important to know that you are not alone in your journey and there are resources and organizations dedicated to providing assistance and support during this challenging time.

Organizations like the American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen, and BreastCancer.org offer a wealth of information, resources, and support services specifically tailored to women battling breast cancer while managing work responsibilities. These resources can provide guidance on treatment options, managing side effects, coping strategies, and connecting with other women who are going through a similar experience.

In addition to these national organizations, local support groups and networks can also be valuable sources of support. These groups often provide a sense of community, understanding, and solidarity that can help working women navigate the physical, emotional, and practical challenges of balancing work and health during their breast cancer journey.

By tapping into these support networks and resources, working women with breast cancer can find the strength, encouragement, and guidance they need to prioritize their health while continuing to excel in their professional lives.

6. Work-life balance strategies: Managing work responsibilities while prioritizing health

Achieving a balance between work responsibilities and prioritizing health is crucial, especially for working women. It's important to acknowledge that our health should always be a top priority, and this includes regular screenings and self-examinations for breast cancer awareness.
One effective strategy for maintaining this balance is to establish clear boundaries between work and personal time. Setting specific work hours and sticking to them can help prevent burnout and ensure that you have time to focus on your health and well-being.
Additionally, incorporating small but impactful health practices into your daily routine can make a big difference. This could include taking short breaks throughout the workday to stretch, practicing mindfulness or meditation to reduce stress, and prioritizing nutritious meals and regular exercise.
Remember, taking care of your health is not a luxury—it's a necessity. By implementing these work-life balance strategies and making your health a priority, you can better manage your work responsibilities while safeguarding your well-being.

7. Employer support: Workplace policies and accommodations for employees with breast cancer

Employer support is crucial for working women facing breast cancer. Workplace policies and accommodations play a significant role in ensuring that employees feel supported and can focus on their health while maintaining their professional responsibilities.

Employers should consider implementing flexible work arrangements, such as telecommuting or adjusted work hours, to accommodate medical appointments and treatment schedules. Providing access to employee assistance programs and mental health resources can also offer vital support during challenging times.

Moreover, ensuring confidentiality and non-discrimination in the workplace is essential for employees navigating a breast cancer diagnosis. Employers can promote an inclusive and supportive work environment by fostering open communication, providing educational resources, and offering benefits such as extended medical leave and disability accommodations.

By prioritizing employee well-being and implementing supportive workplace policies, employers can help working women with breast cancer manage their health needs while continuing to contribute meaningfully to the workforce.

8. Overcoming challenges: Coping with diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship in the workplace

Coping with a breast cancer diagnosis while managing work responsibilities can present significant challenges for working women. The emotional and physical toll of the diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship journey can impact various aspects of a woman's life, including her professional life.

Upon receiving a diagnosis, it is crucial for working women to communicate with their employers about their situation. This open dialogue can help in establishing a supportive work environment and may lead to accommodations that can assist in managing workloads during treatment and recovery.

During treatment, women may experience fatigue, pain, emotional distress, and other side effects that can affect their ability to perform at their usual level in the workplace. It is important for women to prioritize self-care and listen to their bodies, seeking support from colleagues and supervisors when needed.

Returning to work after treatment can also pose challenges as women navigate the physical and emotional adjustments of survivorship. Developing a gradual return-to-work plan, setting realistic goals, and seeking accommodations if necessary can help ease the transition back to the workplace.

Overall, it is vital for working women facing breast cancer to prioritize their health and well-being while also managing their professional responsibilities. By seeking support, communicating openly, and advocating for their needs, women can navigate the challenges of diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship in the workplace with resilience and strength.

9. Empowering women: Advocacy, education, and raising awareness for breast cancer

Empowering women through advocacy, education, and raising awareness for breast cancer is crucial in the fight against this disease. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women worldwide, and early detection plays a key role in improving survival rates. By advocating for regular screenings, educating women on breast health, and raising awareness about the importance of self-examinations, we can empower women to take charge of their health and well-being.

Advocacy efforts can include supporting policies that increase access to affordable screening and treatment options, as well as funding research for better detection methods and treatments. Education plays a vital role in dispelling myths and misconceptions about breast cancer, encouraging women to prioritize their health and seek medical help when needed.

Raising awareness through campaigns, events, and social media can help reach a broader audience and encourage more women to get screened regularly. By coming together as a community to support and empower women in their breast health journey, we can make a significant impact in the fight against breast cancer. Let's stand united in our efforts to raise awareness, educate, and advocate for a world where all women have the tools and resources they need to maintain their health and well-being.

10. Conclusion: Encouragement to prioritize health, seek support, and empower working women in the fight against breast cancer

In conclusion, it is crucial for working women to prioritize their health, including breast health. Breast cancer is a serious disease that affects many women around the world, and early detection is key to successful treatment. By scheduling regular screenings and self-exams, women can take control of their health and potentially catch any issues early on.

It is important for working women to seek support from their healthcare providers, family, friends, and colleagues. Surrounding yourself with a strong support network can make a significant difference in navigating the challenges of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Don't be afraid to ask for help when needed and lean on those who care about you.

Empowering working women in the fight against breast cancer involves raising awareness, advocating for better healthcare access and resources, and promoting self-care practices. By taking proactive steps to prioritize health, seek support, and stay informed about breast cancer prevention and detection, women can better protect themselves and contribute to a healthier future.

Remember, your health is your most valuable asset. By making time for self-care, regular screenings, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance, working women can take charge of their well-being and inspire others to do the same. Together, we can support and empower women in the fight against breast cancer.

As we come to the end of this blog post on balancing work and health, specifically focusing on breast cancer awareness for working women, we hope that the information shared has been insightful and empowering. It is crucial for women to prioritize their health while juggling the demands of a career. By raising awareness and taking proactive steps towards early detection and prevention, working women can protect their well-being and continue to thrive in both their professional and personal lives. Remember, your health is your most valuable asset - take care of it.

Embracing Your Passion: The Journey of Going After Your Heart

2024-02-18T18:18:00.000+00:00

Embarking on a journey to pursue your passion is a courageous and empowering decision. It requires stepping out of your comfort zone, taking risks, and following your heart's desires.

Embracing your passion is not just about finding a hobby or interest; it's about tapping into your innermost desires and dreams, and having the courage to pursue them wholeheartedly. In this blog post, we will explore the transformative journey of going after your heart and the fulfillment and joy that comes with embracing your passion.

Join us as we delve into the importance of self-discovery, overcoming obstacles, and living a life true to yourself.

1. The Importance of Self-Discovery Self-discovery is a crucial part of the journey of going after your heart and embracing your passion. It involves exploring your innermost thoughts, desires, and values to uncover what truly drives you. Through self-discovery, you gain a deeper understanding of yourself, your strengths, and your unique talents. This process allows you to align your passions with your actions, leading to a more fulfilling and purposeful life. By taking the time to introspect and reflect on your values and aspirations, you can gain clarity on what truly matters to you and what ignites your soul. Self-discovery empowers you to make informed decisions, set meaningful goals, and pursue a path that resonates with your authentic self. It opens the door to self-acceptance, self-love, and the courage to follow your dreams wholeheartedly. Embracing self-discovery is not just a journey; it is a transformational experience that can lead you to a life filled with passion, purpose, and fulfillment.

2. Overcoming Obstacles on the Path to Passion Embarking on a journey to pursue your passion is an exhilarating experience, but it is not without its challenges. Along the path to following your heart, you are likely to encounter obstacles that test your resolve and determination. These obstacles can come in various forms, such as self-doubt, fear of failure, lack of support from others, financial constraints, or even external circumstances beyond your control.

To overcome these obstacles on the path to passion, it is essential to cultivate a resilient mindset. Believe in yourself and your abilities, and remember that setbacks are a natural part of any journey towards fulfillment. Embrace failures as opportunities for growth and learning, rather than allowing them to discourage you.

Seek support from like-minded individuals who share your passion or from mentors who can provide guidance and encouragement. Surround yourself with positivity and inspiration to keep your motivation high during challenging times.

Remember that overcoming obstacles on the path to passion is a part of the journey itself. Stay focused on your goals, trust in your abilities, and persevere with determination. With resilience and a positive mindset, you can navigate through any challenges that come your way and continue to pursue your passion wholeheartedly.

3. Living Authentically: Embracing Your True Self Living authentically and embracing your true self is a powerful journey that can lead to a deep sense of fulfillment and purpose. When you embrace who you truly are and follow your passions, you are living a life that is true to yourself, rather than conforming to societal expectations or norms. It's about honoring your values, beliefs, and desires, and aligning your actions with your innermost being. Embracing your true self allows you to live with integrity and authenticity, which can bring about a sense of inner peace and contentment. By being true to yourself, you are able to pursue your passions wholeheartedly and create a life that is uniquely yours. Remember, your authentic self is your greatest strength, and when you embrace it fully, you can unlock your full potential and live a life filled with purpose and joy.

4. Conclusion: The Fulfillment of Embracing Your Passion. Embracing your passion is a transformative journey that can lead to immense personal fulfillment. When you choose to follow your heart and pursue what truly ignites your soul, you open yourself up to a world of possibilities and growth. Throughout this journey, you may encounter challenges and obstacles, but staying true to your passion will fuel your determination and resilience. The fulfillment that comes from living a life aligned with your deepest desires and aspirations is unparalleled. It brings a sense of purpose, joy, and contentment that radiates through every aspect of your being. Embracing your passion not only enriches your own life but also inspires those around you to follow their dreams and live authentically. So, dare to dream big, take bold steps towards your passion, and savor the incredible fulfillment that awaits on the journey of embracing your true calling.

Hmmmm

2013-06-28T05:03:00.003+00:00

Hmmm. I wonder how I should begin; should I say the ‘State of the Nation’ or the ‘State of the State’ continues to leave a bad taste in the mouths of some of us and probably that’s why our big brother politician, philanthropist, businessman and friend, Prince Tonye Princewill’s slogan, “Politics should not be left to the politicians”, serves as a reminder to some of us that though we have leaders to guide us and the affairs of the State, we also have roles to play individually and collectively for the realization of certain goals for the State and so on. Bearing in mind the race to 2015, it appears one of our problems stems from lack of proper dissemination of information hence distorted views about current happenings within and outside the state.

The ongoing drama is d**n (pardon my French) too much and cunningly wields people away from the crux of the matter to other somewhat mundane issues. Like our neighbouring states and regions, we also have our ups and downs and instead of focusing on pressing issues relating to electricity, road maintenance and so on, we are made to watch live Nollywood political drama, “Naija: The Race to the Top 2015, Part 1…” featuring a large cast: HE RCA, Hon. Min of State for Education N.W, Obio/Akpor LGA, Rivers State House of Assembly, NGF, PDP with special guest appearance by His Excellency, El Presidente GEJ.

Leadership cum management isn’t easy and is a hard job to take on or a tough nut to crack. ‘Leading the Pack’ and getting people from different backgrounds to yield to your orders is a different ball game requiring a certain kind of finesse and diplomacy not usually gotten from the classroom but via interacting with the people. It is only proper that our leaders keep us close to heart when committing us into certain situations. There must be an improvement on keeping the citizenry well-informed. Thank God for social media like this one(FB); if not for a PPA friend and fellow blogger, I’d not have known about the Obio/Akpor ‘bombing’ incident as well as understood the reason for police presence at almost every junction within my axis around the time of the hubbub.

The bottom-line is that information in these times is essential to the survival of the goals and aspirations of the populace. When we lack regular feedback, it gives room to our imagination running wild. I for one am not pro ‘this person’ neither pro ‘that person’ but all I want and wish for is that as long as we are able and willing to work for our daily bread, let no Jupiter take us for unsolicited rides by cutting our paycheques without due notice by telling us before hand and reasons for such pay cuts otherwise one day na one day, the ogas for the top go come see say naija man don tire to swallow eba and soup and wan chop macaroni and cheese. Abeg if person no je brake, those riots wey dey happen for England, Turkey, Greece and other countries go appear for we country by means of abracadabra.

My people if you get long leg make you helep us tell our leaders oh! Imie gbam, Eshe gon, Nagode, Da’alu so.

OH NIGERIA MY MOTHERLAND, WHAT IS WRONG WITH THY ROAD MAP?

2013-05-13T23:26:00.000+00:00

Sunday is usually a day of rest for a huge number of us irrespective of our religious affiliations; but it is also a day adults prepare for the new week ahead while the children get ready for another school week. Whatsoever today means to either one of us, I’m sure we can always make out a little time for ourselves on individual basis.

As I have my own “Me” time by putting down my thoughts first on paper , I cannot help but reminisce about the countless FB posts I've put up in the past calling on the urgent need for change in virtually all areas of our lives.

Change is something that occurs daily in our lives; it isn't tangible but is visible and experienced; today you are employed, tomorrow you are redundant- situational change; one minute you are awake, the next you are asleep- positional change. Whatever form you experience, whether good or bad, whether liked or not, it is an aspect of our lives we cannot do away with; it is here to stay and woe betides anyone who thinks he or she can become a success story without passing through a form of refinement which is change itself.

We are natives of the most populous country in Black Africa; we inhabit a country filled with Milk and Honey but lack brotherly love, morals, good leadership, religious and ethnic tolerance amongst many others; in their stead, we exhibit so many negative traits. Without borrowing much from my last post,

1)How can a country like ours’, blessed with so much human and natural resources, located in different regions, be in the position it’s in today?

2)How can we have the likes of our fallen heroes and comrades: ‘The Maestro’ Fela Anikulakpo Kuti, ‘our own Mandela’ Gani Fawehimi, Ken Saro- Wiwa of The Ogoni Fame and other notable figures like Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, Femi Falana, Sir Emeka Anyaoku amongst many and yet we seemed to have lost our footing along the way?

3)What in the Good Lord’s name is wrong with the different forms of leadership we’ve adopted?

Instead of electing credible leaders, the right and freedom to do such have been taken away from us, and we end up with selected leaders. Oh Lord, please where have we gone wrong?

1)Don’t these people listen to the voices of reason?
2)Don’t they care about the yearnings and aspirations of the people they lead especially the man on the street without a voice to speak for him?

If our leaders lack consideration for the masses, then no one should be surprised about the State of the Nation today and all the chaos therein. It’s in times like these that I cannot help but remember certain parts of history: Our fallen heroes like The Biafran Warlord, Ikemba Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu and the reasons for the war he supported; I also recall the fight for the emancipation of the Niger Delta by MEND, Boko Haram and until recently the killing of over 80 police officers in Nasarawa and Borno by the Omatse cult and so on. Why all these commotions?

A Black American friend of an uncle once told him that Nigeria has what it takes to be as great as the United States of America BUT it has serious management/leadership issues to sort out.

I wonder the following:

1)How can or why should we complain of so much Insecurity when people are hungry, unemployed, lack affordable and decent housing or have neither, cannot pay bills or send their children and wards to school?

2)How can we complain of all the above when parents spend their lives’ savings to train their children to whatever level that they can afford to, only to see them graduate and roam the streets in a never-ending pursuit of non-existing or meagre jobs just to keep body and soul?

3)How can our leaders complain about insecurity and expect sympathy from you or I, when citizens (rebels et al) take up arms to fight for selfless or selfish reasons when we all have eyes to see the way public coffers are pilfered for personal or family enrichment; how our leaders neglect duties and wash and air their dirty linen for all and sundry to see; how funds meant for projects for communal enhancement are diverted and justice perverted? Haba! Onye bu Mugu?

Henry Ford said, “If money is your hope for independence, you will never have it. The only real security that a man can have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience and ability.”

We seem to forget that we are tenants in this world and one day, we all would bid it farewell. There is enough wealth to go round a large portion of Nigerians but instead greed and moral negligence set in thus people are neglected especially when not from the dominant tribe of a region.

(Pidgin & Normal English and Igbo): Enyi m biko unu (please my friend), with all these negativity being shown, how chaos no go waka enter we country? In fact chaos is too mild a word, how won’t there be MADNESS everywhere? Na only for this country wey traffic warden go say, “STOP”, Naija man go move; na only for we country wey amputee or mad man(onye ara)go raise hand for us to je brake and quick quick we march am before spit go land us for face. Sometimes e good say make we siddon for back seat take survey we area well well make we no follow land for one psychiatric ward one day.

One Engr. William Olabode Adebisi of Coldcare Nigeria Limited back in 2006 said,
“My father used to say, “The day a mad man says, “I will not be mad again,” that day he will be well.”

Pardon my language but corruption in this country is a huge pain in the b**t and causes a sane man to become insane (sickness), destitution (hunger inclusive) as well as students and parents resorting to exam malpractices so as to gain admission etc. These students who become tomorrow’s leaders; how story no go get k-leg? These corruptive behaviours was said to have emanated at the end of the Civil war in the late 1960s often causing violence of different proportions. We don’t need another war when many still alive are yet to recover from then past civil war.

Like Albert Einstein said, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” All we need are selfless leaders, past and present, to own up and admit we have serious issues to contend with and initiate pertinent reforms from top to bottom, North to South, West to East. Perhaps when this is done, then discipline and moral uprightness can be upheld and Nigeria can be set on the road to victory.

A NEW DAWN

The Horizon looms out
With the promise of a new dawn,
A dawn filled with hunger and thirst;
For what you might ask,
For change,
Change for the present,
Change for the future.

Come to think of it,
We all talk about change,
Change in our everyday lives
Especially change in leadership;
But from where do we begin?

From within I tell you;
For there CANNOT be change
Without sober reflections.
For it is in time of such reflections
We purge ourselves from within
Thus giving birth to a new dawn;
One filled with Hope and Certainty
For the much sought – after change,
A change for the good of all mankind

Here’s to a happy and productive week my friends.

Healthier 2013

2013-01-29T12:15:00.002+00:00

HEALTHIER LIVING Y2013

January 2013 ends in a few days and recently I couldn’t help reminisce about the different FB posts and happenings of 2012 and then it dawned on me that while we spent lots of time on political, economic, religious as well as socio-cultural issues, we left little room for health matters.

If we cast our minds back to the good old days, to our kith and kin in the rural areas, we might recall how we, city dwellers looked at them as lacking ambition due to their rudimentary lifestyles; lifestyles that helped prolong their lives unlike those of the over-stressed city people.

Although I do not have the statistics to buttress my point, it is no secret that the mortality rate of humans has not only fallen but also that there’s a noticeable gap in the rates between rural and city folks. Organizations and NGOs like the World Health Organization (WHO) dealing with health are trying their best possible to create adequate awareness on the dangers of unhealthy living.

In the United States of America, First Lady Michelle Obama is leading a cause trying to tackle Child Obesity which is on the increase in her country. Without embarking on a long lecture, most of us know that the foods we ingest are converted into sugars for energy while unused energy is stored as fatty cells; these over a period of time leads to obesity, a serious health risk which can cause Hypertension, Diabetes, Cancer, Pulmonary embolism, Kidney failure and other complications.

Those of you who know me would understand where I’m coming from when I say I’m seriously thinking about myself as I put down my thoughts on paper. It (this health talk) shouldn’t be all about Talk the Talk but Walking the Walk just like the late American artiste sang, “You telling me this, telling me that...Practice what You Preach.”

While the on goings in your environment are important, health matters should take centre stage. A complete lifestyle change should be one’s priority when faced with life-threatening health issues. In order to succeed, you’ll need to change your mind-set from a I CANNOT to a CAN-DO attitude. Try the following:

1) Never say I can’t take charge of my health but say I can do it. Utter it as a daily mantra until it sticks to you like a leech.

2) With reference to the science of Physics recognizing 2 kinds of inertia; the first law: “Standing objects tend to remain stationary and the second law: “Moving objects tend to stay in motion.” In other words, whether we want to know our health status, lose weight, cure a simple or complex ailment, AVOID PROCARSTINATION.
Get off your b**t (pardon my language) and take charge of your life. The journey of 1000 miles begins with the first step. Try the following techniques in order to achieve something measurable:-

I) Get a piece of paper and take time to identify health-related issues you’ve been putting off.

II) Pick out one to do and enjoy the satisfaction of starting it.

III) Never mind difficulties encountered. Designate some time each day to devote to your health cause and try sticking to it. Worrying about perfection can slow you down so avoid dwelling on it. Your efforts are what count because periodic changes can be made.

IV) If the reason you are procrastinating involves other people (like visits to medical personnel), then go and chat with them than turn molehills into mountains.

V) Don’t be scared of the consequences of your action. A temporary setback won’t kill rather your ability to bounce back is what matters.

You need to picture how you’d feel once a task is completed; a sense of relief that would boost your confidence and energy. Always remember: TNT that is, TODAY NOT TOMORROW and as celebrity Trainer Kathy Kaehler says, “You have one body. There are no replacements, no new models.”
So Avoid short-term solutions and remember you and your body are in for the long run. Here’s to a healthier living this year. Best of luck in all your health endeavours.

DeltaWomen: Education: A Lifeline for All.

2013-01-19T14:23:00.001+00:00

DeltaWomen: Education: A Lifeline for All.: All around you and I are noticeable changes taking place daily irrespective of whether it’s in our favour or not. What is your perception...

The Heart of Man

2013-01-10T01:21:00.000+00:00

The heart of Man is small
But its essence is best understood by Our Creator;
It may be small
But its importance is vital to man’s survival.

Man was created for a purpose
But at this point in time,
Seems yet to discover that purpose,
How much more understand it?

We live in a ‘Cat and Mouse’ world
In an era filled with so much selfishness,
An era seemingly void of Integrity,
An era filled with loathing of fellow mankind
And less of brotherly love.

Oh the heart of man though small
Is mighty indeed.
We live in a world
Where daily atrocities occur unabated,
We live in a world
Filled with so much resources that would ensure enough provision
For a huge number of the population but…

Oh Our Gracious Father
Where have we gone wrong?
You put Man in charge of your creation
With the creative ability to make significant impact
But Oh how far off has man gone away
From your notion of an ideal world?

With the current trend of occurrences
Time waits for no one;
But as at this moment
One thing I am sure of is that
Regardless of the fast pace of time,
Change can still occur.

No one prays to become a destitute
Neither does one ask for problems
But it is high time we all re-assess ourselves;
It doesn’t take much for man to donate a dime to worthy causes,
It doesn’t take much for man to donate his time and effort to those in need by showing some Tender Loving Care.

In the words of Prince Tonye Princewill,
“You are blessed so that you can bless others.”
And,
“Have a forgiving spirit because we all make mistakes. That’s why pencils have erasers.”

What we all need to bear in mind
Is that hard times could befall anyone of us.
And so for change to occur in the words of Vince Lombardi and George Bernard Shaw respectively,
“People who work together will win, whether it is against complex football defences, or the problems of modern society.”
and
“If history repeats itself, and the unexpected always happens, how incapable must Man be of learning from experience?”

The Season of Christmas

2012-12-18T04:06:00.001+00:00

We inhabit a world filled with an array of people from different walks of life; people from different tribes, cultures, religions and so on. A world which has obviously metamorphosed into something different from God’s master plan.

However, irrespective of the glaring differences in the socio-cultural and religious habits of humans, it is obvious that God whether called Allah, Tamuno, Chukwu, Olorun etc, is seen as the one and only true God, source of Love and owner of the Universe and must be recognized via peacefully cohabiting in a world neither one of us had a hand in its creation.

While we recognize the existence of many religions worldwide, there exist three (3) main religions in Nigeria:

1)Christianity
2) Islam
3)African Traditional Religion (ATR)

Speaking of ATR refers to the ethnic and religious traditions and practices specific to indigenous Nigerians; a religion of faith depicting a form of wholeness encompassing all aspects of life – spiritualism, politics, socio-culturalism - communicated via music, art and the sacred. African Traditional Religion slowly but not completely gave way in contemporary Nigeria to Christianity by marring many values and customs of indigenous Nigerians while Islam on the other hand had already been in existence in Northern Nigeria via her neighbours from North of the Sahara who were predominantly Muslims.

Christianity is primarily about Jesus Christ and God’s promise in John 3:16 to give mankind a second chance at redemptive love by offering Jesus for crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. Like the Muslim Eid al-Maulud an-Nabawi-Festival of the Birth of Prophet Muhammad, the Season of Christmas is about the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ and its significance in Christendom-love, humility and gentility. It is a joyous occasion that calls for bringing about lasting change in our communities in order to reduce the level of moral decadence in our societies today.

There is therefore an urgent plea for religious tolerance, respect for the values and customs of one’s host community as well as letting bygones be bygones. It may be easier said than done because as humans we are subject to different moods and aspirations- joy and sadness, patience and anger, gaiety and melancholy and so we should not allow certain aspects of other cultures deter us from showing brotherly love to non-Christians for Jesus Christ was impartial and showed love to all and sundry.

Festive seasons like Christmas are best suited for renewal of faith despite existing societal ills that can shake one’s religious foundation. As Christmas day lurks around the corner, we need to remember the less privileged whom can barely or cannot even afford the necessities of life for as the world becomes a global village, a little spread of Tender Loving Care about the place can go a long way to healing wounds.

Merry Christmas and Happy 2013 in advance

Joyeux Noël et Bonne 2013 en avance

Feliz Navidad y Feliz 2013 por adelantado

CHANGE

2012-07-05T20:15:00.001+00:00

Change as they say is the only constant thing in life and it begins with the first step. With regards to the various happenings within our immediate environs, it is pertinent to note that change is needed in virtually all facets of our existence whether personal or collective. If you pose the question, “What Is Change?” to Nigerians out there irrespective of their level of literacy, you will get similar answers which when summed up is that “Change makes today different from yesterday.”

Religiously speaking, we are in the era termed “The Last Days”, while logically, we are in the era of change; a period when even the laymen on the streets scream for something different; a period when the people are tired of constant purported stories, lies and innuendos; a period when the people demand to know the truth from their leaders. The people have just about had enough with all the “hogwash”. Isn’t it bad enough the ordeal most of us face during Voters’ Registration exercise, standing under the sun and rains during elections to vote for preferred candidate only to experience “the more you look, the less you see OR abracadabra” syndrome, that is, not only will your candidate nor the opposition fail to get reasonable chunks of votes from the massive turnouts, but low and behold, an unknown candidate, who never participated in election will emerge from the skies and be declared the winner by electoral personnel. Please can someone help by enlightening me on this issue?

I’m not a politician neither do I really like politics nor do I recall delving into political discussions before the Odili regime. I used to think the greatest kind of political showmanship could be found in advanced regions like the Americas, Europe and Australasia but my people, Naija politics is a whole different ball game. How I wish I knew more about Politics, perhaps I would have been able to write a book on “Naija Politics: The Game Plan”. I feel it would have been awesome because I’ve sat down countless times, trying to recall with my little knowledge of politics, the eras of IBB, Abacha, OBJ and now GEJ and end up asking myself, “Oh Lord, what the h**k (pardon my language) is wrong with us?” Understanding our political terrain is gruesome because if care isn’t taken, you and I can be in our homes and not know when we’ve (society- state or country) been sold out.

Change occurs but most of them are not what we hope for. We are in dire need of suitable change in order to progress further. In order for us to experience the kind of change we crave for, we need to search deep within ourselves, as individuals then collectively foremost as a family and subsequently as a community et al. As an individual, after going on soul-searching journeys, I realise there are bits and pieces of myself that definitely need tune-ups that will boost my self-esteem thereby enhancing interpersonal relationships.

For example, there are periods when we experience scarcity of goods like petroleum products and FMCGs (Fast Moving Consumer Goods). When these products become available, there is the tendency to be disorderly via pushing and shoving which can lead to visits to a hospital. On my part, I can force myself to wage a WAI (War Against Indiscipline) by waiting for my turn no matter the insults and cajoling that come my way. It may be easier said than done but as a popular Chinese goes, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.”

It is no longer news that a lot of people all over the world have distorted perceptions about Nigeria probably due to one scandal or the other and as a result, our leaders speak of rebranding our image. How can we speak of rebranding when we, government and the masses, refuse to listen to reason? How can we change people’s perceptions when we refuse to “separate the chaff from the wheat”? The sine qua non is, if both parties can put themselves in each other’s position, then there’s probably Hope in making progressive change.

There are many aspects of our lives that need a touch of ‘this much sought after change’. Nigeria is primarily composed of Christians and Muslims; the Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo and other religious and tribal sects and we need to respect and accept each other’s existence. By so doing we can take steps in the right direction.

If we can unite and present a common front despite our different religions, tribes and places of residence, then there is definitely hope for you and I; hope as in a Nigerian aspiring for government posts outside his catchment zone; hope as in a Nigerian high school graduate being chanced to enrol into any Nigerian university with reasonable JAMB and WAEC scores without having to worry about the disparity in “Quota” system or extremely high scores for particular courses of study; hope as in Nigerian government retirees being able to regularly receive pensions in person or paid into bank accounts as at when due as well as being able to participate in periodic audit updates AT Government Liaison Offices IN their States of Residence; hope as in Nigerians being able to rest well knowing their Leaders are carrying out their duties properly and not squandering tax payers money.

For the religious thinker, his hope for the better is in his Maker, God Almighty; for the modern thinker, he relies on prodding, shifting and rearranging to effect change. The bottom-line according to the inventor, Albert Einstein, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”

Nigeria Oh Nigeria, Where are we heading to? 2

2012-07-05T20:11:00.001+00:00

A lot has been written and uttered in the media about the DANA air crash in Lagos, Nigeria which occurred on Sunday June 3rd, 2012. Some may contain atoms of truth while most for now are considered rumours. What hurt us are the over 153 lives on board and ground it took to wake us up from our slumber.

In times like these, it is worth noting the virtual impossibility for most of us in remaining impartial when analysing issues associated with this type of incident. This is probably as a result of the difficulty involved in putting aside the issue of the dead as well as our prejudices for a minute in order to give everyone involved the benefit of doubt no matter how impossibly hard it appears.

As human beings and not just Nigerians, we don’t have to lose someone-loved one, friend or colleague-in any form of disaster before we can feel the trauma involved. Most of us might be able to recall things we learned from different settings-home, school, work and so on; things like the cause and effect of our thoughts, actions and words. An array of people (including I) have voiced our different feelings about the crash; words which in this early stage of the investigations ought to be restrained because anyone of us could have been involved-the deceased, pilot, maintenance and so on.

After having a chat with a friend and ex-colleague on Saturday, I couldn’t help ponder over our discussion. We know for a fact that death is inevitable even though we don’t know how we’d go. As I thought about the dead, I couldn’t help feel some form of animosity towards our government and not really with DANA and its allies. Back in the 1980s, Nigeria’s image was better: fairly strong currency, good supply of foodstuffs, petroleum products, better educational and health systems and so on. It makes one think whether we weren’t better off then than now. Anyway that’s for another day; back to the crux of the matter.

Being part of a religious community, we rely a lot on God to help manifest the somewhat impossible, while sometimes forgetting that one’s level of success depends on one’s ability to stop dwelling on the past and try adapting to change because it is inevitable. We can try and change people but we shouldn’t beat ourselves when this does not occur because NOBODY WILL CHANGE UNTIL THEY WANT TO. I’d like to reiterate that it isn’t because I didn’t lose someone in that crash nor know anyone of the deceased that makes me talk in this manner. It’s very disheartening about the dead because they and the families they left behind deserve more; they deserve answers to ‘hanging’ questions. We must be strong and careful not to allow our words control the outcome of things BECAUSE words-written or uttered-can make anew or do a whole lot of damage so we must tread cautiously and avoid insinuations etc.

Yes we have heard from people who’d previously boarded the ill-fated plane in the past that it had been problematic, we’ve also heard about North America’s refusal to allow the plane, we also know that the same plane was cleared for takeoff ; there are so many questions and What Ifs that come to think of it as rightfully pointed out, “What if after all this media hype it is ascertained that the cause of the crash did not have anything to do with DANA, its maintenance culture or personnel BUT probably with some object entering and damaging an engine while airborne, bad weather or aviation fuel etc” . Unfortunately the damage would have been done resulting in loss of business, jobs and therefore loss of revenue and income.

Human emotions cannot be ruled out but there’s the need to create a balance between religious and logical reasoning otherwise we’d continue beating about the bush and still end up with unanswered questions. Irrespective of the present situation, what has happened has happened; the dead need to be properly buried; their dependants catered for; displaced habitants of the crash site building re-housed etc. At the moment, we may have few agencies like the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) assisting with crisis management of this nature but the Nigerian government must give its citizens cause to trust them by being totally honest with us, trying their best possible to do a whole lot more like establishing or improving on whatsoever form of Emergency Response currently utilized which would also help in creating employment and probably touch on one or two other neglected areas of importance in the lives of her people.

I’d like to end by asking each one of you reading this post to please keep an open mind despite the anguish, renewal of air crash syndrome and to implore you to view this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Ihs241zeg

It is a video presentation by our very own renowned novelist, Chimamanda Adichie on ‘The Danger of a Single Story’, which is all you need is to show a people as only one thing over and over again and that is what they become. Please watch it if you haven’t. Our Mouths and Pens are powerful weapons of creation and destruction especially in times of anguish and pain like these.

MAY THE SOULS OF ALL THOSE ONBOARD AND ON GROUND WHO DIED, REST IN THE BOSOM OF GOD ALMIGHTY, AMEN.

Nigeria Oh Nigeria, Where are we heading to?

2012-07-05T20:06:00.000+00:00

Our world is filled with both Good and Evil and it is left to us to utilise our God given wisdom to decipher between right and wrong and hopefully follow the path of righteousness.

The era we are in is filled with so much chaos, so much evil which overshadows the little good that still exist. All things being equal, when we wake up at dawn, we get down on our knees and thank Our Maker for preserving our lives and continue with our daily chores.

Personally whenever I spend some time with a relative in a house with a patio overlooking a river, I feel a sense of tranquillity, peace and awe with nature. I take a look around and see the bananas, plantains, mangrove and other vegetative plants growing on the river bank. I look at the river when the tide’s high and see the fishes swimming or causing ripples beneath or the birds diving down for the kill and when the tide’s low, I can see the crabs and periwinkles all about the riverbed. All these get me thinking about how Awesome Our Creator is.

Sometimes I let my mind wonder and think hard about the various happenings around the globe and recall predictions from notable personalities (clerics and the likes of the infamous Nostradamus) and can’t help but come back to Earth and think of our dear country, Nigeria and its apparent decline in virtually all areas of our existence as a country be it the economy, social welfare, health, education and the list just goes on and on.

My people, please help me understand where are we heading to? One minute we are having problems like strikes and administrative issues in health, oil, and education where the rate of student admission is alarmingly high and as such we churn out half baked graduates due lack of required attention in relation to student-teacher interaction; next minute might be security issues with Boko Haram, MEND or some other aggrieved Nigerian sect.

This period we seem to have renewed our air disaster syndrome with not just one but two crashes in Lagos and the Nigerian cargo plane in Ghana. I couldn’t help think of the lives that had been lost; of people who had become fatherless, motherless, widows, widowers and orphans or simply put innocent blood that had been shed. You may not comprehend the trauma of losing a loved one until it happens to you because it happened to me though not via air crash. I still have sleepless nights trying to make sense of it all.

Please can anyone explain or help others and I understand why a plane that was known to be faulty, undergoing maintenance and still had problems be ALLOWED to take to the skies? At least you and I heard a lady (probably affiliated to DANA Airlines) and a legislator (who had previously flown in the ill-fated airplane to Uyo around May 22nd 2012) attest to this claim despite the denial from DANA Airlines management. So please tell me Why? Why?? Why??? Must so much blood be spilled before it dawns on us that the country is heading downhill?

Education is nothing to write home about otherwise our legislators should enact a law compelling everyone including themselves to train their families and wards in Nigeria. We strive to go to school and graduate and end up in the unemployment market and pray for someone to notice our CVs despite their scanty nature (especially for the fresh graduates). How do employers expect to get good employees with 5 and above years of experience when they rarely give jobseekers opportunities to prove themselves? Academics help but it isn’t everything; we should thing of the individual’s vocational skills as well. Take a look at Bill Gates and Face Book’s Mark and our very own Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka.

The Health sector is another headache. Whenever there is a strike, services are skeletal and no doctors to treat people and as such the fatality are high. If one is lucky meetings are held, consensus reached BUT the crux of the matter is implementation which unfortunately Nigeria has a problem in carrying out.

There are so many other aspects of our lives that need help especially Divine Assistance, because we don’t want to listen to ourselves. As for corruption, May God help us because it is now deeply rooted in our psyche to the point that even though we have EFCC and other agencies, we Naijans know how to circumvent the law.
So my people where are we heading and is what we have today the legacy we’d keep for our children of tomorrow? We seriously need to rethink otherwise…

You Can Make It

2012-04-18T19:38:00.001+00:00

Biblical passages: Genesis 1; Ecclesiastes 1:9-10; Psalm111:2; Proverbs 25:2; Revelation 3:8; 1 Corinthians 2:16; Matthew 18:18; Mark 16:17; Psalm 8:3-6, 23:1 and 27:1; Philippians 4:13 and so on.

Life is just a four lettered word but poignant with meaning. It’s all about making choices; some good and some bad. There comes a time in a person’s life when the need to take a step backwards and assess oneself arises.

Man was the last of God’s creation but nonetheless the most precious, created in the likeness of God and given dominion over all of creation. Created in the image of God, He blessed us with Anointed Minds capable of future discoveries since the Lord had already created (order and beauty from chaos and emptiness) everything we’d ever need to survive here on Earth and left the rest for creative and committed minds like yours’ and mine to seek and become outstanding people in the future.

We are in an era of continuous change worldwide; an era requiring wise Christians to utilize their renewed or regenerated minds as well as God-given talents to make a difference in their environment.

Succeeding against the odds requires developing a positive mindset which is a step in the right direction. One needs to bear in mind that, “You are what you think and say AND who you are determines what you do.” If you see yourself as a failure then woe unto you otherwise Think and Talk Success equals SUCCESS. Do not expect to sit down, do nothing and expect something; C’est ne pas possible (It is not possble).

To start with I feel it is pertinent to note an ancient saying,

“Look within, within is the Fountain of Good, and it will ever bubble up, if thou will ever dig.”

This means we as individuals need to do some form of sober reflection or self-assessment and in the process go through the following phases or processes:

1) Acknowledge ourselves as God’s children and heirs

2) Unlock our hidden creative potentials and channel them properly via affirming their existence (The Power of the Tongue) which leads to confidence et al.

3) Be focused, confident (avoid limitations), fearless; plan and project properly etc

We must avoid stagnation because Life is a process of transformation whereby every individual must choose the course of his life in order to stay motivated. It is advisable not to procrastinate when faced with challenges as these could make a difference in filling up the void in one’s life or not.

For all these to become achievable, it is imperative for our spirits to be renewed and be in sync with the Spirit of God in order to in order to receive direction and stir up our creative juices to affect our world positively. We will need to study His Word (The Holy Bible), declare it to our situation, be patient and watch God work wonders in our lives. Utilizing our creative abilities is the gateway to inventions for the resources of our minds are limitless and if positively used for Christ, self and humanity, the door of divine creativity and rewards will forever remain opened of which no devil can ever shut.

Personally, I use the poem below to encourage myself and hope for the best. I hope it inspires you as well:

A New Dawn

The Horizon looms out

With the promise of a new dawn,

A dawn filled with hunger and thirst;

For what you might ask,

For change,

Change for the present,

Change for the future.

Come to think of it,

We all talk about change,

Change in our everyday lives

Especially change in leadership;

But from where do we begin?

From within I tell you;

For there cannot be change

Without sober reflections.

For it is in time of such reflections

We purge ourselves from within

Thus giving birth to a new dawn;

One filled with Hope and Certainty

For the much sought – after change,

A change for the good of all mankind.

NIGERIA OH NIGERIA, WHERE GOEST THOU?

2012-04-03T22:25:00.000+00:00

We have been bestowed with God given talents that ought to be utilized not just for ourselves as individuals but for the good of all mankind. Personally, I love watching movies and reading romantic novels and gossip magazines a lot but not as much anymore because it took the demise of my beloved Father to bring me back to Ground Zero. I needed to assess my priorities, my perception of the world out there.

Whenever I feel compelled to write a post on “Affaires de Coeur” (Affairs of the Heart), I usually prefer being a Lone Ranger. It forces me to do serious soul searching or sober reflection. I also thank our lucky stars for Tim B.Lee, the inventor of the worldwide web (1994) which I utilize a lot because it has made the world, a global village, as well as made me better equipped with knowledge; for as the saying goes, “Knowledge Is Power.” A man might be poor and too weak to fight but with whatever amount of knowledge he has amassed over time, if properly utilized, he is richer and stronger spirit than any rich and influential man.

We all know that the only constant thing in life is CHANGE and as we clamour for it, we need to bear in mind that in an environment that has condoned societal ills for so long, it would take sheer will power on our parts to effect some form of change. You and I know the saying, “Charity begins At Home” and for improvements to occur in the various facets of our lives, we need to start from ground zero, that is, ourselves. We must do some sober reflecting and change our mind-sets, perceptions from no longer “Business as usual” to demanding from our elected officials, information on what is going on. We each have a right to make such demands.

As Africans, we are in an era were Religion, Science and must I add, common sense clash before headway is made in our quest for change, for improvement. In the book of Genesis 1(as well as Proverbs 25:2 and Psalm 111:2), we are told that God created everything we would ever need to survive in this world in Six days and concealed them for keen and daring creative minds like yours’ and mine to explore, invent or discover and as a result Ecclesiastes 1:9-10 depicts that there is nothing new under the sun. Nothing happens by accident of which Dr. David Oyedepo agrees with by stating, “Every event is invented.” We need not feign ignorance and use our talents properly in order to turn our stagnation into motivation. We accept that there is a Divine Being responsible for our universe and as such we acknowledge Him, God Almighty in the second stanza of our National Anthem,

Arise, O compatriots,

Nigeria's call obey
To serve our Fatherland
With love and strength and faith.
The labor of our heroes past
Shall never be in vain,
To serve with heart and might
One nation bound in freedom, peace and unity.

O God of creation

Direct our noble cause
Guide our leaders right
Help our youth the truth to know
In love and honesty to grow
And living just and true
Great lofty height attain
To build a nation where peace
And justice shall reign.

My people, please for how much longer can we continue to let the image of Our Fatherland dwindle? How can we continue to sit and fold our arms and accept status quo? For how long must all these ills be allowed to continue my brethren? We must not allow past efforts of our fallen heroes go to waste. If you go back and read my initial post, I berated our government for not doing much to curb excesses but I had “to stop and smell the Roses.” I recalled a quote by Late U.S President, JFK- John Fitzgerald Kennedy, in his Ask Not What Your Country Can Do for You Inaugural Address on January 20th 1961,

“…And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country.”

Of which our amiable Prince Tonye Princewill loves using,

“Ask not what your state can do for you but what you can do for her.”

Despite all the societal filth, Nigeria is still ours’ and if we do not want her as well as try and protect her sovereignty, no matter how little or how much we have to contribute, someone else out there wants NIGERIA. My people, I sincerely don’t think you or I would want to live like strangers in foreign lands and be called derogatory names, or would you? Change is constant worldwide and we must use wisdom in order to achieve outstanding feats. We can achieve greatness if we take a look at the big picture. The time’s now, this moment my people. We must ply rocky and steep roads to the top but God willing, we will get there.

Finally, I leave you all with this poem,

A TRIBUTE TO NIGERIA @ 51

Time waits for no one;

As our dear country Nigeria clocks 51,
It is time we do some sober reflecting
As we start the second half of a century.
We cast blames at each other
But my people, it is time we are done with all the bickering.
Whether we call God Jehovah or Allah,
The fighting needs to stop;
Too much innocent blood is being shed,
The country appears to be in a state of CHAOS;
Today, it’s ASUU strike,
Tomorrow it may be another organizational problem,
Enough is enough.
Let’s stop complaining about the leadership;
We elect the leaders,
We are the leaders.
So let’s think back
And make necessary changes
Because time waits for no one.

Education is Reading, Reading is Education

2012-04-02T14:16:00.001+00:00

There is the need to re-instil the lost culture of reading not only in the children but adults as well. Barrister Edwin Baiyeibo (Host Cleric HOTR Enugu) reminded us about a Persian parable that goes like this:

1) If you see a man who does not know and does not know that he does not know, shun him, he is a fool.
2) If you see a man who does not know and knows that he does not know, teach him, he is a child.
3) If you see a man who knows and does not know that he knows, wake him, he is asleep.
4) If you see a man who knows and knows that he knows, follow him, he is wise..

We are in a generation that needs help to recall the forgotten art of disciplined scholarship and hard work in academics. Our minds need to be renewed with relevant information and remain so in order to keep abreast of happenings in society. Ignorance and other vices need to be nipped in the bud so as to bring back integrity into our educational system and improve on the quality of our graduates. That is why I laud the strides of His Excellency, Gov. R.C. Amaechi in promoting the reading culture via last year’s Garden City Literary Festival which I took part in and enjoyed immensely and another recent event which took place at Silverbird Cinemas with the support of our amiable Prince Tonye Princewill.

I must say that though we attach so much importance to formal education, it is imperative to note that there are a lot of notable folks worldwide who passed through informal education and have joined the league of Great Minds. All hands must be on deck because we cannot continue to turn out half-baked professionals and expect Wole Soyinka, Ben Carson, Late Gani Fawehimi and Jonnie Cochran and other great minds because the essence of life is about information received and mode of usage. Like Eric Butterworth said, “Nothing stops the man who desires to achieve. Every obstacle is simply a course to develop his achievement muscle. It's a strengthening of his powers of accomplishment.” Think wisely and return back to the books.

Happy Belated Mother's Day

2012-04-02T14:13:00.000+00:00

Here’s wishing you all in the house, Happy new week. I know it’s been about two weeks since Mother’s Day but I had to send this belated wishes to all you mums and mums to be. Though it takes a Man and Woman (as well as Divine Intervention) to procreate, it’s the woman who handles the home front most times while her man (and she too) goes out to work in order to provide for his growing family, thumbs up to our gentlemen. However, I want to dedicate a poem written by a well renowned female American Poet, Maya Angelou titled Phenomenal Woman.

Phenomenal Woman

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Maya Angelou

Environment: Protection and Preservation of it 2

2012-03-19T19:17:00.001+00:00

Our country, Nigeria spans almost 1 million square kilometres of land mass with the Northern dry savannahs and watered Niger Delta region. We are blessed with natural resources and not only Crude Oil but too much reliance on it has blinded most to the potentials of other sources of wealth. Sources like Cocoa, Groundnut, Palm Oil and so on. The issue of environmental pollution worldwide should be of immense concern to everyone because we live in THIS world and ought to keep our places of domicile pollution-free.

An uncle once told me that an American friend of his’ told him that “Nigeria has what it takes to be great like America BUT we have serious management and or leadership issues.” Some of us may not realize the level of environmental degradation in Nigeria but our brothers and sisters in diaspora as well as foreigners lament the level of destruction and apparent lack of concern by some companies with regards to the welfare of the indigenes of the affected areas or host communities.

The rate of sustained pollution in the country is getting worse each day and it does not take rocket science to deduce that the effect of pollution affects our mortality and life expectancy rates. How do we expect to live longer considering the toxicity in the air, water and food via chemicals used in farming et al? This is a topic that affects us all and should be given high priority by our leaders for not just our sakes but our children and those unborn.

Aside oil spillage and gas flaring, other types of pollution include blocked sewage, decomposed refuse, smog and so on. The first hyped instance of environmental pollution was during the dumping of toxic waste at Koko in Sapele, Delta State in 1987. Nigeria wasn’t equipped at the time to handle such issues. This led to the establishment of Harmful Waste Decrees 42 & 58 of 1988 and 59(amended) of 1992 under FEPA-Federal Environmental Protection Agency which in union with some relevant federal departments became Federal Ministry of Environment (Housing and Urban Development) in 1999 and later established NESREA-National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency as one of its parastatal to enforce Nigeria’s environmental laws. The issue of oil spills in the Niger Delta region and the continued neglect of the people probably due legal mumbo jumbo caused the late Ken Saro Wiwa and his cronies to protest which led to their execution in 1995. It is a fact that enormous amounts of money is made from oil from the Delta region but can someone please explain the appalling plight of some coastal areas we see when travelling by boat? Why can’t some of the money made be used in improving on the situation in these areas? Why can’t our elected leaders insist that companies which cause such degradation be made to suffer the consequences? Why is it that most of the things we allow foreigners get away with WOULD never be allowed to see the light of day in THEIR own countries? Please someone should tell us why?

When leaks are reported by natives probably due to wear and tear as a result of age or poor maintenance of pipelines, the crux of the matter becomes the slow response which increases the magnitude of the spillage. That is, should oil spills enter the waters, it affects marine life including flora like the mangrove, the livelihood of the fishermen, destroy farmlands, cause food poison from toxic seafood already caught and a whole lot of other problems including contaminated drinking water. These issues result in disgust and lead to clashes. It shows our overdependence on oil. Thank God our government is working on reviving the once booming Risonpalm and hopefully others are doing something to reduce reliance on petroleum products.

These companies involved in oil exploration should be compelled to adhere to world environmental standards when doing business including using modern equipment, frequent maintenance for ageing pipes, impact assessment in order to envisage likely oil prospecting impact and most importantly, fast response to environmental problems they cause. Also Gas Flaring which is in partnership with oil production release carbon monoxide and other harmful chemicals into the air and this causes breathing and skin problems. It is also known to affect the Ozone layer and the issue of global warming. Companies ought to be made to utilize modern drilling equipment that do not require gas flaring as well as face stiffer penalties for environmental hazards caused by them especially when deadlines are not met.

I may not have enough info but The Environment is one topic we cannot exhaust. Let us do what we can to sustain it before some of the things we watch in sci-fi films begin to happen before our eyes. Infact they already have started. Have a lovely night guys. Catch y’all later. Cheers.

Environment -- Protection and Preservation of it.

2012-02-27T15:02:00.000+00:00

In Africa, when questions are put across to us, religious connotations are unavoidably present. Even when you speak in scientific terms, we cannot avoid making reference to The Creator of Heaven and the Universe. He intended for this world to be Forever Perfect for His children, but we chose the wrong path instead of Good and have become saddled with an Imperfect world / environment. In order for us to understand how bad the state of our environment has become, it’s imperative to understand the meaning of environment, protection / preservation as well as conservation which is a broader term for preservation.

The 3rd Edition of The Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary defines Environment as:

1) The air, water and land in or on which people, animals and plants live (in terms of Nature).
2) The conditions that you live or work in and the way that they influence how you feel or how effectively you can work (in relation to Surroundings).

On the other hand, protection and preservation are similar and involve keeping and maintaining what you have. That is, the activity of protecting something from loss or danger, maintaining its quality or the condition while conservation is the protection, preservation and careful management of the environment and of natural resources such as forests, wild life, sea creatures, soil (against erosion or deterioration), and water for the future.

In Nigeria and beyond her shores, governments have recognized the fundamental right to live in a healthy environment, therefore laws has been enacted placing restraints on activities contributing to the environmental crises plaguing the world; however such disturbing issues are on the increase and as such complete environmental protection seems impossible at this current global level.

1) Let’s take for example, positioning of polluting production companies in densely populated areas is unfair both to nature and the people;
2) Gas flaring ( not only oil spillage) aids in pollution and climate change which leads to decline in human health and increased air/weather-related disasters;
3) Migration from the villages to the cities lead to decreased habitats, in other words Survival of the Fittest;
4) The by-products from companies tend to make multinationals become owners of natural resources, hence causing shortages – for humans and non-humans – thus contributing to poverty.
5) Extensive clear-cutting of forests and so on has taken away our environment’s natural beauty; limited or no fishing in many waters because of contamination. It’s mostly filth all around us.

All these problems of environmental degradation are serious threats which cannot and should not be ignored because they often lead to economic, political, human rights and animal protection issues. The animals in the wilds have as much right to nature as you and I do.

Environmental protection and conservation helps in bringing to the forefront issues arising from the interrelations between humans and the environment; issues of biodiversity, land degradation or environmental policy in addition to the methods and policies of managing resources, assessing risk and pursuing environmentally sustainable practices. Simply put, Environmental protection involves preserving the environment from environmental degradation due to growth in population and technological advancement for the good of the nature and humans. Though issues of environmental protection involve a broad spectrum of stakeholders like the various arms of government (agents with the priority of establishing and maintaining basic standards protecting both the environment and people), it is everyone’s responsibility. Like Gerald R. Ford in his remarks at dedication of National Environmental Research Centre, July 3, 1975 said,

"We have too long treated the natural world as an adversary rather than as a life-sustaining gift from the Almighty. If man has the genius to build, which he has, he must also have the ability and the responsibility to preserve."

Environmental protection is influenced by ethics, education and environmental legislation and for it to become a reality; a change in the mind-set of current environmental values and behaviours is required as well as grassroots involvement. It requires all hands being on deck especially our youth who are the leaders of tomorrow. Giving them the personal responsibility of protecting their environment through projects lead these inspired youth volunteers to become the next generation of conservation leaders worldwide. They can

• On their own identify and solve minor environmental problems.
• Organize garbage clean-ups, native tree plantings to forestall deforestation/desert encroachment, non-native plant removal, community recycling programs with the assistance of community leaders and businesses etc.
• Develop leadership skills and confidence, which helps them become responsible citizens as a result of being empowered to make a difference.
• Stewardship of the environment, for the benefit of wildlife and communities, requires long-term commitment from concerned citizens in order to sanitize it, restore its natural beauty thereby help maintain its integrity. They help the animals and plants thrive in their natural habitat.

John Muir states:

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves."

In trying to preserve the earth, we are also conserving declining species of fauna, flora, habitats and the environment in general. In such cases, authoritative and objective independent expert advice is needed to show leaders that the specie or habitat is worthy of conservation. Everyone is born into this world with a talent from God. It could be the gift of writing, activism, preaching and so on but each to a different extent. Some are born gifted while others have to work hard to cultivate God’s gift to us. You can institute a Volunteer Program contributing a couple of hours each day or weekend would help you and the environment that sustains us. A person can make a difference, how much more a team of volunteers to restore the great wilds for humans, wild plants and animals that call it home.

1) All you need is a small bag and probably a stick to place refuse you can help pick up as you walk along the way; Plant native trees and flowers in your yard and community.
2) Join an NGO for volunteer opportunities in your area where you can help with an environmental rehabilitation projects (remove debris from stream, habitat restoration, garbage/graffiti removal etc.) You can get involved not only locally but nationally and so on. Just get online to see how you can help

Volunteering is one of the best things in life and these great minds have these to say,

Henry David Thoreau: "One is not born into the world to do everything but to do something..."

John F. Kennedy: "Ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country."

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr: "Everyone can be great because anyone can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't even have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve... You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love..."

Another approach to tackling environmental protection is

1) With industrialized countries signing voluntary environmental agreements which support the development of best environmental practice; while in developing countries, these agreements are utilized to build environmental management capacity and to remedy significant levels of non-compliance with mandatory regulation. The existing challenges in effective evaluation lie in establishing baseline data, targets, monitoring and reporting.
2) Due to the vulnerability of the earth’s resources, multiple governments are going into agreement to minimize the humanity’s impact on Nature. Such agreements include the Kyoto Protocol, Vienna Convention on the Protection of the Ozone Layer and Rio Declaration on Development and Environment.
3) An ecosystem approach involves a broad array of stakeholders requiring collaboration in planning and decision making. Thus supporting better exchange of information, development of conflict-resolution strategies and improved regional conservation.

Matters of Immense Concern

2012-02-25T14:38:00.000+00:00

I've used the past couple of days to do some sober reflecting on topics other than Politics which should be of immense importance to everyone-leaders and the public. Topics that touch on Security, Patriotism, Justice, the Environment and encouraging small and large scale businesses to create jobs thereby investing not only in its host communities but outside irrespective of tribe. This would definitely go a long way in enhancing their Corporate Social Responsibility portfolios.

In my next post, I'd like to begin with the deplorable state of the environment which is deteriorating at an alarming pace as a result increasing environmental changes like deforestation, desert encroachment, oil spills and its dire consequences leading to loss of farmland (as applicable in deforestation too), loss livelihood for the fishermen and improper balance in wildlife and sea creatures in their native habitats and ecosystems.

Honestly, this is a very broad topic which some may not find interesting nor want to participate in BUT it would be in our best interest to give it some thought and let's find lasting solutions or alternatives to some of our environmental issues-gas flaring in Bonny, oil spillages in Ogoniland of great magnitude and so on. So until we chat again next week, have a great weekend guys and cheers.

I leave you with a few notable quotes from VIPs worldwide with regards to our environment:

1) "Nature is not something to be fought, conquered and changed according to any human whims. To some extent, of course, it has to be used. But what man should seek in regard to nature is not a complete domination but a modus vivendi - that is, a manner of living together, a coming to terms with something that was here before our time and will be here after it. The important corollary of this doctrine, it seems to me, is that man is not the lord of creation, with an omnipotent will, but a part of creation, with limitations, who ought to observe a decent humility in the face of the inscrutable."
-American Conservative scholar Richard M. Weaver(1910 - 1963) in The Southern Essays, pages 220 and 221

2) "As we peer into society's future, we - you and I, and our government - must avoid the impulse to live only for today, plundering for, for our own ease and convenience, the precious resources of tomorrow. We cannot mortgage the material assets of our grandchildren without risking the loss also of their political and spiritual heritage."
- Ex-US President Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890 - 1969) in his Farewell Address to the Nation, January 17, 1961.

3) "We still think of air as free. But clean air is not free, and neither is clean water. The price tag on pollution control is high. Through our years of past carelessness we incurred a debt to nature, and now that debt is being called."
- 37th American President Richard Nixon(1913 - 1994) in Annual Message to Congress on the State of the Union, 1970

4) "If we've learned any lessons during the past few decades, perhaps the most important is that preservation of our environment is not a partisan challenge; it's common sense. Our physical health, our social happiness, and our economic well-being will be sustained only by all of us working in partnership as thoughtful, effective stewards of our natural resources."
- 40th US President Ronald Reagan (1911 - 2004) in Remarks on signing annual report of Council on Environmental Quality, July 11, 1984

5) "The environment is God's gift to everyone, and in our use of it we have a responsibility towards the poor, towards future generations, and towards humanity as a whole."
- Pope Benedict XVI (1927 - ) Encyclical Caritas in Veritate, June 29, 2009

and last BUT not the least,

6) "No generation has a free hold on this earth. All we have is a life tenancy--with a full repairing lease."
- Margaret Thatcher(1925 - ) in Speech to Conservative Party Conference, October 14, 1988

Philanthropy and Prince Tonye Princewill

2012-02-18T12:30:00.001+00:00

We are in an era where people are demanding for change in virtually all sectors of the economy. We are witnessing the rebirth of notable personalities from different parts of the country vying for the Mantle of Leadership in order to ensure that the change most of us crave for becomes a reality.

One thing I like about the English Language is that it has a large vocabulary which even its owners are yet to fully comprehend. For me, Philanthropy is all about, “doing good for the sake of humanity”; but if you take a back seat and pose this question, “What is Philanthropy about in Nigeria?”, I bet you are going to have different interpretations.

For the layman living out there in the streets and trying to survive via relentless, tireless, hard work, he may not be bothered about the topic but for those with some form of education, Philanthropy which ought to be executed for the good of humanity is viewed by many as “a means to an end” in the country. It is worth noting that some leaders or crème de la crème of society appear to be “nice and lovey dovey” when trying to garner support from the public for one project or the other after which the story changes. What do you think?

With regards to the man, Prince Tonye Princewill and his ever growing strings of philanthropic gestures, where do we place him? He isn’t just a Crown Prince of his people as well as an astute businessman; he is a leader in the making. I first heard of the name Prince Tonye Princewill when I noticed his gubernatorial posters all over the town back then in 2006/7 and have to admit during his initial attempt for the State’s Hot Seat, I often wondered, “Will THEY give this man a CHANCE?.” I later met him online when I joined FB in 2009 and in person recently. I’ve asked myself countless times how this man combines looking after his business affairs, his people, political interests, numerous charitable activities AND still make out time for family and self-interests- I guess he must be extremely good at multi-tasking.

There is no denying that his level of philanthropy is continually on the rise but people are going to interpret it differently. Whatsoever their feelings are, we are supposed to be living in a democratic society and airing our views is necessary for the much sought after change to occur. A key part of that change requires keeping people well informed which is what Prince TP has been doing via the social media and “open door policy”.

Now I’m throwing this question to you all, “Are we going to give this man a chance to steer us closer to the path of sincere change?” Whether we like the Prince’s mode of operation or not, “this digital icon” is going to be around for the long ride. So the floor’s open guys, please feel free to comment. Take care and Cheers y’all.

Our Pensioners Need The Respect 2

2012-02-18T12:24:00.000+00:00

Hello. After my post yesterday, I went home to do more thinking. I abhorred Politics until I had to wake up from my slumber and smell the roses despite the stench around us. For me it grew interesting during the era of former governor Sir(Dr.) Peter Odili up to when the present governor, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chubuike Amaechi was to contest gubernatorial elections and all the ensuing ‘drama’.

I resigned from my job in 2005 because a loved one needed TLC while on medical treatment abroad. The Rivers State government denied our plea for financial assistance despite dad putting in almost 4 decades of medical service. Nevertheless, they say “God opens a door when one close” and our loved one survived. Dad may be gone but at least he isn’t around to see the continued filth in a system he disliked irrespective of the fact that he tried to contribute his quota to the service of humanity.

I brought this personal experience up because until recently I’d been jobless for almost 7years. I could have joined the Civil Service but the treatment of pensioners put me off. I can cage my anger from the outside world but never you insult my folks to my hearing otherwise, Tamuno belema \ Chukwu nna biko unu nye m ebele, I may not be physically endowed with strength BUT I’ve got a mouth and Hell Hath No Fury...

I may sound like a broken record, I may be accused of whining too much but my people if I may quote a beloved and renowned American Poet, Maya Angelou, “truth brings the past into the present and prepares us for the future. That’s what truth is.” My people the sooner we look into this the better. I agree that there are other pending issues but at the end of the day, we all will get to the Pensions Board or some Pension Scheme.

A proffered short term solution could be government providing photocopiers free of charge (to ease the already stressed pockets of the elderly) and utilize the assistance of Youth Corpers during the few days of either State or Federal Pensions payment or audit. These young men and women can be taught to operate the machines and assist our parents to find seats, sort and arrange their documents, read out instructions to them and fill out forms for them if permitted as well as other little things we take for granted. My people, little things count.

Long term solution would involve negotiations with government, pensioners, social and health workers and so on. My people it is said, “A word is enough for the wise.” Make we hear word oh!

Happy Weekend. Cheers.

Our Pensioners Need the Respect 1

2012-02-18T12:18:00.000+00:00

I am one of the many Nigerians that have secretly belittled my country and state-Rivers State-in particular. I used argue that our governor ain't doing much for the unemployed as well as our aged parents- The Pensioners- in our state BUT with regards to the younger generation, I've had a little change of heart.

Nevertheless before I get there I need to plead with the powers that be to have a rethink with regards to The Pensioners. On a number of occasions, I've had the chance of accompanying my late father to either pick up his pension or just reporting to The Secretariat for Pensions Audit with The Abuja Team.

Now how does it sound to the ordinary man and people in corridors of power that Mr A who retired from Rivers State with pension of =N=3000.00 be asked to come down all the way from Kafanchan for audit when his transport fare in this Era of Fuel subsidy stress etc would cost him an awful lot of kudi, owo, ego? Haba! Why can't we copy certain good modes of operation of some advanced countries?

My dad who left the UK back in the 70s got a phone call in 2009 thereabout by a pensions' officer from London to ascertain that he was still alive, yet his own people lack such courtesy.

I saw young men carrying their sick fathers with drips to show the elderly men were STILL alive, haba na wetin be this kind palaver? Did they commit any offence in serving the state?

I had to get a chair for my darling father to sit and ran around for him-got his number, went photocopying, stayed on the line and when it was his turn, called him in. WHAT ABOUT THOSE MEN WHOSE CHILDREN COULDN'T FOLLOW THEM?

I even saw veteran news woman Nimi Tom-Manuel who brought her blind dad from interior villa into town to prove that he was still alive at the time. This is unacceptable.

Why can't the government establish liaison offices to help these elderly people?

Why can't the government help our fathers and mothers and bring the photocopying machines downstairs to where everything's happening free of charge?

Why can't they lecture their staff to try their best possible to RESPECT these men and women?

We all by God's grace will get old one day. No one need remind us of The Law of Karma. We should not allow an elder curse us because this MOUTH-ONU, O di powerful oh!

As for we the youth, we are young. Like a post in one of PTP's face book pages, If there is no work Make one. It may be easier said than done but If we stop and think for a minute and try and lay down our arms, pick up our pens, tune up our voice(s), my people I tell you E go better. Nothing comes free. We must strive hard before we get that Golden Fleece. Make we try. God bless

Pray For Our Leaders

2012-02-18T12:01:00.000+00:00

Irrespective of d shortcomings in our lives, I hope we thanked God for d gift of life. Hope we also prayed for our leaders from Local govt up to Federal level for they need our prayers and support in these trying times. Have a blessed week. Pls keep on sharing your thoughts and opinions on d way forward. God bless y'all, Amen.

Valentine! Valentine!! Valentine!!!

2012-02-18T11:59:00.000+00:00

The Season of Love's here again.

Let's thank God Almighty for being able to see this period again. As we prepare to celebrate with our family & friends, let's be grateful for what we've got because:

(1) There are people out there without "stuff" you & I have.
(2)There are orphans without Mothers/Fathers or both to at least love them even if they are penniless.
(3)There are Widows & Widowers without their spouses to share their love with this season.

The list goes on but let's not forget that as we spread the love around, we need not forget our leaders. They are humans & fallible & constantly need our loving support no matter contra indications. Let's pray for everyone, from least to Mr President. If God can love a Repentant Sinner, then it doesnt cost anything to love. HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE. PEACE Y'ALL.

Rest In Peace Whitney

2012-02-18T11:56:00.000+00:00

I may not have known her but let's pray for the soul of Late Whitney Houston whose death was confirmed by Kristen Foster few minutes ago on USA Today and on a London Station. Like the Late Luther Vandross, you thrilled us with your sultry voice. R-I-P Diva,R-I-P.