Nigerian Artiste: IBK- Enigma rendition "I have a Dream" (FREE DOWNLOAD available)

"Driven by the will to create distinct music guaranteed to move your spirit, soul and body, IBK is making an unusual entry into the Nigerian music terrain. With the spaceshipboi persona; a fictional superhero figure from another dimension sent to earth with a message of Change and Hope to inspire this generation, he is definitely a force to reckon with."

Born in the city of Warri in Delta State on December 18 1982, Ibukun Kevin Emuwawon, popularly called IBK is a Producer, Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Vocal instructor and owner of the production outfit MARTIANSHIP.

Check this out!!
FREE DOWNLOAD: IBK Spaceshipboi - Enigma (I have a dream) - Click to download at 4shared.

DOWNLOAD the FINAL MIX: I HAVE A DREAM

Join IBK on FACEBOOK

"Life is beautiful, it all depends on where you stand to take a view from" IBK aka Spaceshipboi- Follow IBK on Twitter 


You might also want to check out EMJOY! Another budding Nigerian artiste with good music! Click here to read more

An open-source for Young Nigerians and Africans

What is Open Source? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_source

What does open-source mean? For the context of this discourse, I will define an open-source as that platform that allows easy re-distribution, access and collaboration without cost. Oh well! In a nutshell, free sharing of information! :) A software developer or technology enthusiast might define it differently. But we are philosophizing here... :)

As the Internet become more and more popular among Nigerian and African youth, more people are becoming very proactive in creating websites where information can easily be shared or accessed by others. Thus, gradually putting to rest the culture of “monopoly of information.”

If you have information about an opportunity, for young people or digital natives of this generation, it is un-cool and archaic to hide it in the dark. Everyone is gradually embracing open-source, encouraged by digital culture. The cool thing to do with an information you receive, and you believe your peers will benefit from, is to disseminate it through the different social networks you belong to and add the popular “please spread the word” after posting.

If you do not share, be sure someone else will stumble upon it and share it, anyway.

An example of an open-source platform is Scholars Hub Africa. Scholars Hub Africa was created for young people in Nigeria and other African countries to share and access scholarship and other opportunities, at their fingertips. Unlike other websites that charge access fees from users, Scholars Hub Africa is free of charge. Its core aim is to give back and support educational development as well as encourage the culture of "freely received, freely given."

Opportunities currently posted on the website include information about “Full scholarship and trip to UK in Basic Trust International Essay.” Applications are invited from students across Nigeria to participate in a national essay competition organized by an NGO, Basic Trust International. In addition, there is also scholarship open to applicants from Sub-Saharan African countries with an excellent academic record to study at a German or South African University.

You will also find Information about the Commonwealth Scholarships offered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the United Kingdom for citizens of other Commonwealth countries; and Canon Collins Trust scholarships for postgraduate study in South Africa in 2012. More information on how to apply for the recently published 2011 NNPC/MPN National Undergraduate Scholarships for Nigerians has also been posted.

Scholars Hub Africa “does not offer scholarships or partner any scholarship agency. The information provided there is FREE and meant to guide you to explore and utilize opportunities.”

No doubt, many young people at the grassroots who lack access to the internet might not be able to enjoy such open-source, unless a radical step is taken by the government leaders or NGOs to train youths in rural areas on ICT and provide IT-equipped resource centers in all villages. While we wait for this radical development, we must not disregard or underestimate the power of “word of mouth.” Kindly share information by simply telling others offline about those useful “stumble upon” information and opportunities.


Scholars Hub Africa can be accessed on: http://www.scholarshubafrica.com. To post or contribute resource, email scholarshubafrica@gmail.com

A Rope and A Ceiling

Image via: http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/showthread.php?522708-A-Different-Shade-of-Grey-A-Switzerland-AAR

It was after work hour. I rushed out of my office, towards the train station. Like me, many people were heading home. I looked at the faces of the people around me. It is an unconscious habit I picked up over the past months. Looking at the expression on people’s faces, trying to decipher what could be going through their head… it is a mind game, to kill the minutes as we all wait for the ride home.

That evening, everyone looked the same- tired after a hard day’s job. The rush hour and train delay did not help matters. Everyone was eager to get on board as early as possible before the station got too crowded. The more crowded it is, the less likely you would get a seat on board.  

That evening, the transport system was unusually slow. The delay was worse on the red line, Shady Grove towards Silver Spring station. But commuters were not left to wonder what was causing the disruption. My phone beeped to reaffirm the announcement booming from the station’s intercom. Reading the SMS from “Alert DC”- The subway service apologized for the delay in running regular hour. According to them, a man had jumped in front of one of the trains- yes he committed suicide.

I was disheartened by the news. Why will anyone just take his or her own life? Nothing could justify such action.  Even in the midst of high depression, debt, poverty, whatever it is… I do not think it justifies the action of any man to spit on God’s face and take his or her own life.

Last week, it was not a news about a man jumping in front of a train that made a lot of people raise their eyebrow at the high rate of suicide in our society, but the story of a 26year-Old ex-banker who was found hanging on the ceiling of her sister’s home in Lagos.

The story went viral on the Internet. According to the report, the young lady, Motunrayo Ogbara, committed suicide after being jilted by her boyfriend, amidst other challenging circumstances she was going through. But her life was not as miserable. She was a graduate of Economics from the University of Lagos. Perhaps she needed to have seen her life through a more positive eye.

It is true that as our faces are different so are the challenges each and every one of us is facing. But I do not think any magnitude of challenge is enough for anyone to take his or her own life. If you are currently going through a form of depression or know anyone who is, please advice such person to seek psychological help or counselling.  Say no to suicide. Don’t allow anyone push you over the cliff either. Love life and live.

New Music: "Who's That" -Download tunes now!

Here is one body-vibing new Hip-Hop release from emerging artist eMJOY, titled "Who's That"- emjoy.bandcamp.com

This tune is coming right after his recent release of the music listener-favourite tune "Gracias, O se, Merci",

 http://www.notjustok.com/2011/06/19/emjoy-gracias-o-se-merci/ .

Feel Free to visit the links above and download the tracks!!!  Enjoy your weekend!

More about eMJOY:

MAYOWA ADEBAJO, popularly known as "eMJOY", is an artist, songwriter and performer of primarily gospel music in the HipHop genre. He has been performing to a small group of family since a young age but had his first concert stage performance in High school at the age of 15, which opened up more opportunities to perform.

 

eMJOY has performed across Toronto, Canada including during Jesus Family Church events, RCCG youth events, Haiti Community, Worship 4 Life Concerts, Emua Fashion Show 2010, York University NSA (Nigerian Students Association) Gala 2011, etc.

 

He currently lives in Toronto, Canada where he is also studying for Higher Education. He says “My vision in the music industry is to make beautiful, classic-lasting music for the world that should draw us all nearer to the mind-blowing Love of God. Through the good news of Jesus Christ, I should expectedly bring glory to my nation Nigeria, and Africa, at large.”

 

Connect eMJOY on Facebook: Facebook.com/theemjoychannel

In order to reach eMJOY for bookings, management info, etc. you may contact his manager- Victor, at victorehikwe@yahoo.com 

 

For media interviews or features, email dotmayo@yahoo.com

 

Watch out for more releases from eMJOY, and stay joyful!!

Youth (students) Flee from Boko Haram!

The northern part of Nigeria is ablaze. Well if one part is, sooner or later the fire will spread unless we quench it, right now.

I woke up on Wednesday morning to an alarming text message from a friend whom I've never met... He was fleeing from Maiduguri, far from Boko Haram and the crisis in town. Just in case you have not been following the news, Boko Haram is a sect in the North protesting against western education by bombing “innocent” people. Or how will you better define it? It is total chaos, a real hot mess for everyone.

My friend’s text read, "Hello Jenny, I'm trying to find my way out of Maiduguri. My online network was down since yesterday..." A few days before, University of Maiduguri UNIMAID was closed until further notice. According to him, students are stranded. No transportation. "No time, no vehicles to ferry out...Prayers" please take out a minute to pray for the safety of people in Borno/Maiduguri.

"Students in free for all over few commercial taxis/buses. Various state governments evacuating indigenes." As at Wednesday, Gombe sent 32 buses with escorts, Taraba 15, Kano, Bauchi, Adamawa and Niger came in too- Benue and Plateau were on the way. Lagos indigenes were hopeful.

"Long ATM queues. Fares tripled leaving students stranded. Only 2 ATMs in school are selectively working, going to town is not an option" People have money but in their account. Despite the tension, the students joked among themselves "IS YOUR MONEY SOFT COPY OR HARD COPY?"

A few hours later he sent a message saying “Thank God I have found a bus to Damaturu. It is a step, there are hundreds here wishing they were me.”

Not long into the journey, the vehicle’s Tire got burst and the spare Tire got flattened minutes later.

Where are you now? I asked. "Trying to find the name of the village, the only thing I can see is a CPC flag. We hope to find a mosque or see people there." Came the reply.

When they got to Damaturu, my friend and four others from the same bus were able to beat the waiting game there. "We have boarded a taxi and are heading forward. We're currently at Potiskum, home town of Adamu Waziri, former minister of Police Affairs" He said. “It is in the neighbouring Yobe state. You know, all these hours, the North is really large.”

To cut the long story short- my brave friend successfully transited from Jos to Abuja. He watched other students holding each other, exchanging phone numbers in solidarity. By the way, in Bauchi, they met the luxurious buses Gov. Oshiomhole of Edo state sent to Maiduguri to evacuate students. As for the Boko Haram, my friend reports, “They can afford to remain a faceless enemy because their mission is accomplished- children can’t go to school, Maiduguri is a ghost town. They have succeeded in executing a total embarrassment at the Federal Government. What worries me is their level of sophistication and neat efficiencies, it speaks of capabilities beyond even the disgruntled proletariat.” My friend signs off on a note of warning; this is not a time for our government leaders to play chess with the lives of Nigerians or the future of our country. God bless Nigeria.

Call for Application: Youth Xchange Programme, Age 18 - 25

Youth Xchange is part of Global Xchange programme which aims to support the development of active global citizens, committed to working for positive change.

Youth Xchange is an exchange programme that brings young people from the UK and from other countries to live alongside each other and work together as volunteers so they can share their learning with their host communities.  Developed out of a highly successful VSO exchange programme called ‘World Youth’, Youth Xchange seeks to support the advancement of a global perspective among young people. The programme is a partnership between, British Council, Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) and Education as a Vaccine (EVA) as implementing partner.

Youth Xchange works with teams of up to 18 young people (aged 18-25). Equal numbers come from the UK and from the overseas partner country, Nigeria. The participants Xchange works with teams of up to 18 young people (aged 18-25), with equal numbers coming from the UK and from an overseas partner are recruited, and the teams are formed, to reflect diversity in terms of geography, ethnicity, ability, education and gender. Together, in cross-cultural counterpart pairs, they live with host families and work in host communities, for up to 3 months in the UK and 3 months in the overseas country, Nigeria. They also work on a global citizenship project specifically aimed at raising awareness of development and diversity within their host communities 

We are inviting applications from individuals interested in participating in the Youth Xchange project due to commence in October 2011.  Interested applicants must have the following:

• A positive and realistic commitment to the programme
• A genuine commitment to learning
• Ability to solve problems
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Self confidence
• Ability to work with others in a team
• Sensitivity to the needs of others

In addition they must be able to:

·       Treat everyone equally and with respect, regardless of any difference

·       Abide by and respect all the laws, both of the UK and of the overseas country

·       Abide by all the rules and regulations established by the Programme to protect their health and safety

·       Always stay within host communities unless they have prior agreement from their Project Supervisor

·       Respect the customs and cultures of host communities and specifically their host Families

·       Take part in all the activities and phases of the Programme, including pre-departure ,preparation and returned volunteers events

·       Fundraise some money as part of their contribution and commitment to the program

Participants (volunteers) must be sure that they can cope with the above standards of behavior before they apply for the program.

Completed forms should be returned to the Youth Exchange Team at youthxchange2011@yahoo.com not later than the 22^nd July 2011. Only short listed candidates will be invited for the interview. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FORM

Or click here for direct form on MS WORD

Joy Ekeledo shares the core goals she would like to achieve before graduating from Higher Institution

Joy is a regular contributor to Dis Generation column, read her recent post below:

“Life after graduation for many people is usually filled with air of uncertainties- especially since our colleges and universities seems to be churning out graduates faster than what the labour force can handle. Although I am in my first year in the university, there are seven things I would really like to achieve before graduation.”

What are these seven things? “The first is drawing up a plan.” Indeed, the truism that he who fails to plan, plans to fail is applicable to every aspect of our lives. Joy believes that things would have panned out differently if most graduates who roam the street incessantly searching for job opportunities spent much time preparing for how life would look like after graduating from the four walls of their Ivory Tower.

“Also I want to reshuffle my cabinet of friends because there are a lot of people who are just there for the sake of presence registration.” Show me a man and I will tell you who he is, goes the popular saying. Anyone who keeps company with bad companions will soon find himself in a level he did not bargain for. Thus, true to Joy’s expectation, it is imperative for us to make ourselves friendly and befriend people of like minds that will nurture our dreams, and vice versa, and not dream bullies.

Aside planning and reshuffling friends, Joy also wants to work hard to ensure that she graduates with the best grade.  But she observes that these days, the best grades and A-class certificates may not really be a determining factor to the kind of job one ends up with, thus, she also plans to make as much connection as possible. This can be achieved by networking with professionals in her field of study, interning and volunteering in organizations that will enable her broaden her knowledge, add colors to her CV and of course connect with key people in the field.

“I have discovered that it is not just enough to have good grades. It is imperative to learn from the experiences of others. Thus my fourth agenda before graduating is to improve on my relationship with people.”

In addition, Joy also plans to explore a profitable business opportunity to allow her be financially independent before graduating (capitalizing on her financially responsible habit). “Right from childhood, I have been groomed with the spirit of saving for the raining days.”

Lastly, before graduating, Joy plans on acquaint herself constantly with news about the sector she intends venturing into. This will enable her better position herself to acquire the knowledge and practical skills that will make her an asset right by the time she graduates and is ready to launch her career!

EXPERIENCE Idols’ West Africa ‘ERIC’ Redefined

How often do we have a music album talk about our experiences in life as Africans? Well, now we do!

Eric Arubayi is setting new standards in his soon to be released album. Scheduled for release on 14 July 2011, Eric’s album is a follow-up on the buzz generated by his three singles(Number One, One Love One Voice & I go make am) released a couple of months back. The singles received enjoyed massive airplays & was well rated by his fans & the media

This album tells a story of life as experienced by the average young person around the world especially in Nigeria. It is fun, interesting, and cool even when laced with some stories of the many challenges faced in this part of the world.

Eric first gained prominence when he contested with the likes of Timi Dakolo, Omawumi Megbele and Jodie on the first edition of Idols’ West Africa Reality show. Years after the show, Eric has spent time on improving on his skills and grow his music to maturity before débuting with this album - you will agree, it was worth the wait.  

It speaks of love we can share as one family and as lovers. It speaks of hope for a better future and of trust in a Supreme. And yes, we should have some fun too! The album has dancehall songs to spice up our celebrations.

Unlike most Nigerian artistes, Eric practices and performs with a full live band. He is specially famous for his strong vocal ability, his exceptional dress sense.

Sex Workers Advocate for Decriminalization of Their Profession in Nigeria

 

by Jennifer Ehidiamen Nigeria, Thursday - July 7, 2011 GLOBAL PRESS INSTITUTE

Patricia Okana, who is in her early 30s, is a commercial sex worker.

“It is just like every other thing you do,” she says. “There are challenges, but I thank God it puts food on my table.”

Okana, a widow, says that poverty the main catalyst driving women into commercial sex work here. After her husband died, she struggled to support herself. Frustrated, she eventually listened to a friend’s advice to try sex work. 

“Everything that tastes bitter must first be sweet, and everything that must be sweet must first be bitter,” she says.

Although she says it pays the bills, she says she does not encourage young girls to view commercial sex work as their first option.

“I don’t encourage young girls, especially underage,” she says.

Commercial sex workers in Nigeria are demanding more respect and more rights. Nongovernmental organizations, NGOs, have been promoting various rehabilitation and education initiatives. But prohibative costs for these programs lead some advocates to believe that the best option is to decriminalize commercial sex work. The Nigerian Criminal Code penalizes prostitution with imprisonment, but some say the law shouldn’t govern morality. The government has mentioned no plans to decriminalize sex work and instead promotes education and alternative employment.

Nearly 65 percent of Nigerians live below the international poverty line of $1.25 USD a day, according to UNICEF’s latest statistics. Some say this makes sex work an appealing option to earn a living. Official statistics on the number of sex workers in Nigeria are unavailable.

Earlier this year, 50 commercial sex workers marched around Falomo, a popular district on Lagos Island in southwestern Nigeria. The purpose of the peaceful march was to call Nigerians’ attention to the need to respect the rights of sex workers. Read more: http://www.globalpressinstitute.org/global-news/africa/nigeria/sex-workers-advocate-decriminalization-their-profession-nigeria#ixzz1RQMbkyJ1