DISSING PHCN?

How many students are discouraged from studying at night due to power failure and poor illumination provided by the candlelight? How many businesses have packed-up due to unavailability of electricity to operate? Well, we are all affected by this poor and ailing state of Power Holding Company of Nigeria! On one hand, there is hope, experts say all we need to reverse the trend is about 24 refineries and 50,000 megawatts, MW of electricity generation. On the other hand, Nigerians sign in disappointment as President Yar'adua's declaration of state of emergency on the power sector is yet to yield any effective result as others chirp on "corruption leaves Nigeria in the dark".

Perhaps, it is in this same state of frustration that someone created a group named "Protest against power outage in Nigeria". If you have never heard of such group then get on Facebook. Oh! well, Facebook is a unique social network that connects people with friends all over the world. Basically, people use it to keep up with friends, upload of photos, share links and videos, and learn more about people and real-life issues. It is also made up of many fun networks, each based around a company, region, or school. One of such is the "Protest against power outage in Nigeria" that gives Nigerians online the opportunity to reflect, learn and debate on issues around PHCN.

"Please sign up so we can have a feel of how many Nigerians are fed up with the power cuts. It is so frustrating sometimes that you get so close to tears and its so pitiful for such a great Nation..." these were the sincere words I saw on the group page that endeared me to join despite my initial reluctance to accept the invitation. From the way activities are booming on the page, it is obvious that indeed young Nigerians are tired of the epileptic state of electricity. It is true that sometimes when you share your frustration with people who experience similar things, you feel a little relief. As it seems, this group was not originally created to solve the our electricity problem but who knows by giving the issue a face on Facebook, in the process of vexed discussion, we might stumble on an idea to liberate us from the situation!

The PHCN challenge and all its flaws have been given a global platform where hopefully more people can express their dissatisfaction freely, create a global awareness on such an important issue and chart a way forward for change! Imagine a society where we can celebrate one day, then one week and then everyday of uninterrupted power supply! It will bring an end to the environmental pollution caused by exhausts from all manner of generators and the resentment we feel towards PHCN sector will fade away!

FOR THE LOVE OF MAY

The month of May has three significant dates worth celebrating, especially because it provides Nigerians with opportunity to reflect purposefully on different issues of great importance. The first of such dates is May 1^st- Worker’s day that celebrates the Tax payers, I mean workers for their immense contribution to National development. Then we have the heart warming May 27^th- children’s day and the resounding historical May 29^th -Democracy day that commemorate the return of democracy in Nigeria since 1999. Thus, one can rightly say that the month of May indeed provides a unique opportunity for Nigerians and all who watch our country with keen interest, to deliberate on the past, present and future condition of our society in its entire ramification.

For instance, May 27^th is not just a day set aside for Children to party, It is also a day where critical issues affecting the Nigeria child are looked into by key stakeholders, including children, in order to draw an action plan to ameliorate the situation. We seek to find answers to questions like “why are about 10 million Nigerian Children not in school despite the free education provided by the government?”. I do not intend to startle you with any statistics of the current state of an average Nigerian child, which you can find from other sources, however, I’d like to urge you not to stop contributing your quota towards securing a better future for this generation.

Starting with your children (or siblings), neighbor’s, and the almost forgotten street children, simple steps that can be taken to improve their lives includes beings a good role model, having in mind that most children learn by watching; showing more support and love to ensure the rights of these children are not trampled upon and most importantly help create an enabling environment for them to grow and develop into responsible youths willing to sustain the future.

I will like to echo the deep words of Nat Keefe who was featured in an edition of Roots and Shoots newsletter. In the interview with Shawn Sweeney, the guitarist and vocalist of “Hot Buttered Rum (HBR)” band was asked about his hope for future generations and here is his response: I go back and forth being optimistic and pessimistic about the way things are going. There’s no guarantee that humanity is destined for greatness. I’m worried that the clever and cut throat instincts that got humans to where we are will also be our undoing. At the same time, it is amazing how far things have come. Some of the best young minds are going to work towards positive change and people are really getting organized. I’m going to continue to do my little part.

Now lets think deeply, as we celebrate this year’s Children’s Day, about the hope we have for future generations. Happy Children’s day and of course a peaceful Democracy day celebration in advance!

ONE RAIN MANY TROUBLE!

Yesterday’s rain is one most Lagosians, especially Ogba Residents will not forget easily. At about 5pm when most workers were preparing to call it a day at their place of duty, and evening traders set out to display their wares in their market stall, the rain came pouring heavily without a warning. I was among those thrown into a state of confusion as we ran helter skelter in search of shelter from the storm. We had just closed from school, thus most of us students were still hanging around the bus stop when the rain started. From the small kiosk where I sort solace from the storm, I watched in awe as some traders who already have their wares in display struggle to pack up but to no avail as they were forced by the magnitude of the rain to run into hiding, thus abandoning their goods. Biscuits, apples, vegetable, tomatoes etc. were some of the goods that were seen floating in the flooded street.
Meanwhile, the now waist-leveled flood hindered pedestrian movement as nobody wanted to risk falling into the gutter that was covered by the flood. The massive downpour which lasted for about 3 hours left most people sighing in disappointment because of the troubles and suffering such heavy downpour brings to commuters. Most roads become a no-go-area; thus most travelers are left stranded at bus stops! Many houses are also flooded during the raining season to mention but a few troubles.
After the rain, most traders counted lose due to business disruption. Commuters were not left out in the negative fallouts of the rain; they were seen making long walks due to lack of vehicles. Most of the vehicles were stuck in the traffic jam caused by impatient drivers, flooded roads etc. Moreover, some of the public buses that would have been plying some routes had to stay off because their vehicles lack the needed parts needed to thrive in such a flooded journey. So like a dog with its tail tucked between its legs, such buses packed along the road waiting for the traffic jam and flood to subside.
Rainfall is a blessing, thus we cannot reject it. As the raining season is just starting; this means we will definitely be seeing so much of river-like floods along most of the Lagos roads. The same breeze which blows to expose the anus of the fowl is one that blows each time rain falls to expose the poor drainage system, poor road construction and of course poor building structures people are forced to live in due to accommodation challenge in this part of the world!

ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN

Recently, in an inter-cultural conference, I was approached by someone who said “I hear in Nigeria , the airport officials are very corrupt”. Well, I thought to myself, what can I say? Prior to my flying to the USA , I personally witnessed the corruption of one of the officials. He was entrusted with the responsibility of manning the departure entrance, thus he monitored the kind and number of people entering the airport. He proudly announced to travelers as they entered the airport that only one person was allowed to see-off their family or friend but alas! To my disappointment, on this occasion, I saw him let down his guard and bend this rule after he was offered a bribe by a woman.

Even though the one action of this man doesn’t sum up reasonably that all airport officials are corrupt, however, remembering this scene which was vividly strong in my mind, I responded to the young lady’s quip about corruption in Nigeria airport, but not by creating a white-propaganda about Nigeria this young lady was expecting of me. Instead, I replied “isn’t there corruption everywhere?” and to my surprise, she quickly agreed. For a minute I was tempted to ask why she so strongly agree, was there some going on in her country?

It is all depressing to echo the words of one of the Nigerian leaders who affirmed that 90% of Nigerians are corrupt. Just a few days ago, I was stunned (not really) by a publication in one of the evening newspapers about corruption in the on-going WAEC exam. Exam questions were sold on streets before examination commences, the newspaper announced. This sounded really alarming I must confess, especially since the said exam is a major one for all candidates. The exam fraudsters seem to be getting wiser! What measures are being put in place to tackle this issue? Is our anti-corruption campaign loosing its hold against the so called fraudsters? Even Yahoo-Yahoo network, the cyber fraud youths engage in seems to be birthing new apprentices everyday. But we must not loose hope, a radical action must be take else corruption finally break this country into shred!

Back to the issue of corrupt airport officials, another participant in the same international youth gathering did share with me about her good impression of Nigeria . She has never been to Nigeria , but the closest experience of being in Nigeria was at the Lagos airport where she was stranded after her flight was cancelled, but for the help of a stranger- a Nigerian, she has no idea how she would have coped. Now talk about the 10% incorruptible Nigerians who seems insignificant but who are building the Nation in their own way! My good friend will never forget the kindness of this Nigerian despite the blaze about Nigeria being corrupt. Now I ask, are you among the 90% of corrupt Nigerians? The actions we take everyday counts!

FAST PASS TICKET...

GSM is the 21^st century fast pass ticket to communication. By fast pass, I mean a very quick and more exciting way than any other. Lately, I have been wondering what life was like before the emergence of global system of mobile communication. Can you still remember? But for mental laziness, I can not vividly recall how those good old days were like. How did we keep in touch? How were business transacted over a long distance?

It is amazing how everything seems to revolve around technology these days- in politics we have electronic voting, in education we have online examination, in relationship we have online dating, in economy we have online banking and of course the now popular automated teller machine/cash machine (ATM). Everything is now within reach; with just a click you can access anything from any part of the world.

Ironically, this has not made life as simple as its spelling. In fact, things are more complicated. We are constantly buying new brands while on the watch for the latest version for upgrade. Thus we operate on face value, we live in anxiety when our finances runs too low to meet the luxury of stocking the “stuff” or panic over our phone battery run out of power- that important call may be missed!

Our efficiency eludes us when we lack access to these technology- messages are composed and disseminated poorly, the queue in the banks gets longer, we fail to remember the birthday of close friends because our phone reminder didn’t remind us etc.

I wonder what life will be like without phones or internet. Obviously communication will be cheaper. Everyone will be more connected to self and be dependent once again on oral communication for information dissemination. Urgent ones will be sent through snail mail (by post) and like its name imply, such messages will travel as slow as a snail. And of course the rest of us who have so much embraced techno-age will feel very bored and cut out of civilization!

Communication is technology in this glow of 21^st century, our world moves in gigabytes and technology is our fast pass ticket to globalization. And what can stop us from the hype of being connected to keep up the pace in our fast track lane?

Are you living green?

ZZzzzz" All I wanted so much is to get more sleep. The weather is just perfect for that. But I cannot, because I already made some other commitment. One that will improve my life and the life of others- you! April 22nd is Earth day and the April 24th is world malaria day- both issues very connected to mankind and all other kinds. For some days, courtesy of The Jane Goodall Institute’s Global Youth Summit, youths from 28 countries have been brainstorming on how best they can work to make the world a better place to keep it livable for this generation and those coming after us. For me, this goes beyond issues around poverty alleviation, and material issues but also eradicating poverty of the mind.
Right now, my room mate and I are preparing for the big day- Disney world’s 10th anniversary celebration in Florida, USA. We will be taking a tour round the wildlife to learn about the animals that are being threatened into extinction by man. Do you know anything about that? Well, I knew very little about it too and to think of it, I never really gave a second thought about it until now I am learning so much about conservation and the importance of nature. Information! What can we do without it?
Are you living green? Do you know enough to help you take care of nature and keep the Earth clean and green? We need to ensure that this generation and the future inherit a living earth, a clean and healthy home for man, animals and plants alike! But with the way things are going- global warming, environmental pollution, poverty etc. it seems we need to work harder to keep our world from falling apart. I will tell you more about all this talk about living green and clean in subsequent articles.... we need to protect the future...we all have a role to play!

Cleaning up the mess...

As Dr. Jane Goodall, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute says, “Only if we understand, can we care. Only if we care, will we help. And, only if we help, shall all be saved.” A couple of years ago, I met Kunle Oyeyinka, a young man who has a burning passion to clean up the mess in his community. By mess, I do not refer to the glaring garbage on the street of Lagos or the deteriorating state of the drainage system. These are just a fraction of the challenges our world is facing compared the state of some children, the pride of the present and the hope of the future.

What do we teach children these days? Do we still teach them to take care of beautiful things and not model shocking habits of adults who appear a bad example? Well, I am afraid the answer is “yes” and “no”. Yes for those who have someone to teach them how important it is to keep good values and no for those who have never had the opportunity to meet someone to show them the light for them to follow. These are the children locked in the dark of social justice, the out-of-school or never-been-to-school children with no dreams or hopes for the future. These are the ones who in later years may become street urchins, a menace to the society if nothing is done to stop this mess from eroding on the society.

It is in an attempt to mitigate this that Kunle Oyeyinka started up “Help the child foundation”, a community based organization committed to building a learning facility at the grassroots for disadvantaged children. For him, life has not always been a bed of roses. However, the passion to educate the poor children in his community was ignited during one of his visit to the hangout where he patronizes drug dealers. While he was snuffing the cannabis, he got his sense of social justice. For the first time, he seem to notice so many children running around the drug-hood, oblivious of the danger they were exposing themselves to and their parents didn’t know better. “These children ought to be learning something more productive” he thought to himself.

Today, Kunle is done with drugs; he is committed to building the nation for the future. To him, there is more to being youth than doing drugs. And to express himself and passion effectively, he mobilizes some of his friends from university of Lagos to teach these children with limited opportunity to learn about arts or science due to their parents’ financial constraint. A free mini-school is now up and running in the neighborhood and the children are thankful for the opportunity.

In addition to this, Kunle and his friends sometimes organizes special outings/excursions to interesting places like the museum, galleria, cinema, beach etc. Imagine children who have always known only the four walls of the ghetto having such exposure at no cost! For some of them, it is a life changing experience that will get them thinking of how best to position themselves to also be an asset to bring a positive change in other people’s lives. Kunle Oyeyinka and his friends are touching lives and cleaning up the mess around them because they care and believe it is our responsibility to keep our country clean.