Eid Mubarak to you

From me to millions of  my Muslim brothers and sisters all over the world I wish all EID MUBARAK!

I pray that may the  blessings and mercies of Almighty Allah will be with us in Dunya and Hereafter.

As we celebrate this great Eid ul-'Adha I implore you to remember how our noble Mohammad (SAW) celebrated it. We should share and give because this is one of the many good deeds a good Muslim and Muslimah should imbibe.

Give to the less privileged in your community, society and also share with your love ones.

The festival is synonymous to giving  and sharing from Allah's mercy with mankind, that is why it's call Feast of the Sacrifice.

"And whatever of good you give, be assured that Allah knows well." -Quran 2:273

 "Whatever of good you give in benefits your own souls, and you shall only do so seeking the 'Face' of Allah. Whatever good you give, shall be rendered back to you shall not be dealt with unjustly." -Quran 2:272

The QUEEN of May Flower Schools

Mrs. Solarin with Queen Elizabeth 11

Just some few days to Salah, I've decided much earlier not to blog today because I need to have enough rest for this special festival but here I am now writing about a woman who has inspired at least five generations of Nigerians. Many of my friends are product of May Flower School, Ikenne and they proudly call themselves Ex-Mays.

You will not totally blame me if I’m doing this because May Flower school in the 90's in Ogun State  was like the British International School or American International School of today amongst secondary schools in the state; it was a dream school for most pupils furthering their secondary school education. May Flower school's uniform (Short and top for both sexes) is totally different from all the school uniforms I've seen.

My parents will not forget in a hurry the pestering I gave them about going to May Flower School but trust my father he was smarter than me in.

I've to thank my friend Moyo Osifodunrin (he inspired this special piece because of her picture  he used on his  timeline, ore oooose "friend thanks"). Moyo is an ex-may and he wrote this about  the May Flower's QUEEN -Mrs. SHEILA SOLARIN

"The queen shaking the legend without gloves whilst knighting her as a Dame."

Les Rois de la rue de Lagos

 Okada, the kings of Lagos Road!

Okada, Les Rois de la route de Lagos. Okada, the kings of Lagos Road!   Okada (Commercial motorcycle) which is known with its different names like Acahaba (northern Nigeria), Okada (western Nigeria), Going (plateau, Nigeria), Zemijan (Cotonou, Benin). It's actually got this name from a defunct airline named Okada Air which was owned by Esama of Benin chief Gabriel Igbinedion who hailed from Okada village in Edo State. Okada is Known with speed and it does not waste time waiting for full passengers on board; sometimes it could fly to the passengers' destination without much delay.   Since the ban of commercial motorcycles in Lagos I have decided not contribute to this sensitive issue (on either side of the government or the cyclists) because some of my friends who knew my position about this means of transportation will think I'm prejudice against this trade; I have had my own share of their reckless riding. (The rider hung me on a moving vehicle, but I'm sure you don't want to imagine what went through my mind!).

FAAN Award for DANA Air, this must be a JOKE

Following the ill fated crash of June 13, 2012 Dana Boeing MD-83 plane, a lot of agitations have trailed the company on their best practices on safety.

Some of the Customers flying Dana flights said safety was a major challenge; Governor Goodwill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom categorically said "he called the attention of Dana authority to the airworthiness of their airplanes so as not to endanger the lives of Nigerians". This was a call he made to the airline authority after his experience when Dana aircraft enroute Lagos from Uyo had technical problems that led to it hovering for hours before finally landed.

 

The petitions (I signed one written by Late Levi Ajunoma's son) and uproars from the families of victims is still very fresh in our memories following the given back of Dana's license that was early revoked by Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) just immediately after the crash.

 

The compensation issues has not been totally resolved, the legal tussle on the coroner's inquest is still pending in court.

 

I woke up this early Monday morning to read in all major newspapers available that FAAN last weekend awarded Dana airline the best domestic carrier for 2011. (Just thinking this must be some sort of joke!) I hope this is not April fool in October.

 

If this is real, I think one need to sincerely ask the authority in FAAN the following questions:

-What is the yardstick for an airline to deserve this prestigious award? (#mywish)

-Who are the panelists for this award?

-What are the pedigrees of the members on this panel?

-What is their (panelists) training and where are they trained?

-Does the customers flying the local carriers have a say in this awards or are they giving voting option?

 

-Is this award made public so as to have their opinion on this award? (I might be rambling)

 

 

You'll probably be wondering if I’m cross examining the FAAN authority? I should state here that I'm confused like most Nigerians on this award and the factors that led to it given.

 

Having read what the Regional General Manager of FAAN, Mr. Christopher Batoure said that the airline excelled amongst all domestic carriers in 2011 hence they need to encourage them.

 

Batoure said, “They were selected as the best considering their passenger load, the frequency of their landings and take offs and their response to payment of bills in 2011. They had the best volume, they were punctual in their operations and they had an excellent service discharge.” (at least we now know that safety measure is not part of  the criteria used for this award)

 

One might be confuse that is there any moral justification on the part of FAAN on given this award which is some sort of node of well done to Dana or that, should Dana airline have shown some respect and empathy to the dead  by rejecting this awards even if they truly deserve it?

 

I will finally ask; are the authorities using this strategy to launch DANA back into business? (Anything happens in Naija)
 

I know that Nigerians and the rest of the world are watching. Definitely this might not be the end of this twist.

 

Happy New Week Peeps!

 

Quote of the week!

"I've learned that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is be someone who can be loved. The rest is up to them. I’ve learned that no matter how much I care, some people just don't care back. And it's not the end of the world." - By Unknown

Me think this is very, very, very, true. Do have a great weekend peeps!

A lesson from American Polities

Republican candidate Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama at presidential debate

 

Polities and electioneering in America is a big business and it is taken serious by everybody involved, events of the past weeks has shown that an average American is interested in what their leaders have to offer.

Contestants are well groomed, they deal with issues and they sell their parties ideology to the voters using all avenues and channels accepted by the system.

But what we have at home is far less than what is done in the america’s presidential debates, I can remember vividly during the 2011 elections in Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan boycotted one of the presidential debates to have a presidential chat with D'banj. (Till now I can't figure out the correlation).

Our ruling class must learn from this and we the voters must also hold the politicians responsible so that they don't take us for granted. They must come and explain what values they will add to governance in other to improve the lots of an average Nigerian in the south, north, west or east.

 Governance is not only about lucky, it requires adequate strategic planning.

God bless America and also bless my nation "Nigeria".

I hope my candidate win this election, please don't ask me who he is because I guess you should know where I’m pitching my tent.

 

Book of the Month- The Mystery of Capital

 

The events of past few weeks has made the reading of this interesting book draged for awhile but I finally finished reading it and I'm to happy to share my thoughts on it.

This book is a must read for anyone who is interested in property ownership and whoever is keen in ending poverty chain. In a simple language it showcased how an average person can use their properties to generate further wealth.

Mr. Hernando De Soto analyzed the problems associated with lands in the third world, the solutions to end this from the part of government, the developed nations and the citizens themselves.

He honestly described how many nations especially third world like Nigeria can improve the lots of the poor by creating an enabling environment and policies that will help them in upholding private properties.

He sincerely answered some of the critical questions on why capitalism triumph in the west but failed almost everywhere, he wasn’t afraid to draw our attention to the Peru’s land property situation (his home country).

This book contains seven incisive chapters which drew my attention to some of the things I never knew that could cause turmoil to peace and prosperity even in the developed world.

My memorable moments(issues) in the book

“Since the nineteenth century, nations have been copying the laws of the west t give citizens the institutional framework to produce wealth. They continue to copy such laws today, and, obviously, it doesn’t work. Most citizens still cannot use the law to convert their saving into capital. Why this is so and what is needed the law work remain a mystery” –page 13

Lesson learnt-don’t follow the trend apply your solutions to fix your peculiar issues”

Au Revoir, the Ogbuefi of the Universe

Late Amadi Ogbonna, former group entertainment editor of Vanguard Newspaper

Forever will this charming smile on your face be in my memory; you were a premium brand in an outstanding small package. Mr. Amadin this was my usual way of calling your name, to others you were simply Amadi Ogbonna.

 

 On my birthday November 27 in 2005, that day was the first time I met you, you came in to my office in your usually bubbling way, you exchanged pleasantries with my other colleagues who were all hailing you name. You finally came to me and said "damsel won't you say Hi to your darling you're seeing for the first time" in your voice you told me your name "I'm Amadi Ogbonnaya, the Guru". There and there you became my friend, you ordered snacks and drinks for me on my day.

 

 You became my mentor and a big brother, you saw the talent that was hidden in me and you encouraged me to pursue the dream I never saw. I can still remember when you called me and said "Bibi, why don't you go to Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) and register for the their profession exams, I'm very sure you will do well" I had my doubts but because I have taken you as a confidant, mentor and a wonderful brother, I weighed the possibilities and keyed into the vision, boss today it has paid off.

Jungle Justice

 

The slain four Uniport Undergraduates in Aluu village, River state

"if any one slew a person....it would be as if he slew the whole humanity: and if any one saved a person, it would be as if he saved the whole humanity". -unknown

Since this story of the inhuman treatment that led to the death of these young men broke out, my heart bleeds for my dear nation. What is our generation turning into? With all our acclaimed civility we still behave like animals in banana republic.

I ask myself what can these boys do that led to the unfortunate incident that happened to them, can’t they be hand over to police for thorough investigation? or can't we allow the court of law do its statutory duty of legally prosecuting them without taking them through this gory experience. Oh my God, animal shouldn't be treated this way.

These promising young men (Tekena, Ugonna, Chidiaka and Lloyd) could have been my or your brothers, nephews or cousins, they were cut down in their prime age by these set of lawlessness fellows.

The only thing that the government and people of Rivers state can do for the families is to see that justice is done and the perpetrators of this barbaric act are all brought to book.

As I write this, I pray that you all find eternal peace with your Creator, may the Lord Almighty grant your families and love ones the fortitude to bear this great loss.

I also call on every soul that knows the faces of the perpetrators of this evil in the video to speak up and expose them so that we don’t obstruct justice, so that the families of the stars will get justice.

Adieu Aluu4.

Be Breast Aware!

October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast cancer is a type of cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk.  Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas, while those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas. Breast cancer occurs in humans and other mammals. While the overwhelming majority of human cases occur in women, male breast cancer can also occur. –Wikipedia

The month of October is earmarked as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so my people (women, men, old and young); please let support this great cause. Early detention is key to survival.

So spread the awareness, my male friends you can support by checking for your partners, encouraging to go for test or do self-examination.

Happy Teachers' Day!

To our TEACHERS, You're our true HEROS.

 

Every first friday in October of every year is marked as World Teachers' Day.

 “One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.” -Carl Jung

  As we remember these great men and women of good character and charisman that have shapen our lives and inspire our journey to greatness. 

 

 

To all the good teachers of the world, I say thank you for moulding the destines of millions of your past and present students.

 

“Teachers appreciate being appreciated, for teacher appreciation is their highest award.”

 -William Prince

 

Happy Teachers' Day!