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Mwambo Kate

COO @ Enchird Technologies Sarl.

Yaoundé, Cameroon

In People and Society • 1 min read • Jun 21, 2022 17:34p.m.

WARMTH & COMPETENCE

I have come to realize that people judge you based on two things: Warmth and Competence. Naturally when we first meet someone , we generally ask two questions: 👉 " Do i like this person ?" This relates to the warmth dimension, which also connects to trust. This is followed by : 👉 " Can I rely on this person?" This relates to the competence dimension, which also connects to respect. Now, ofcourse, there are a whole range of other factors that influences a first impression ( which happens in 1/10th of a second by the way!) and many of these are based on biases or prejudices ( which could be related to appearance, gender,tribe,religion or race). Beyond that,we all have an opportunity to positively influence someone's perception of us by demonstrating genuine warmth first , and backing it up with competence . A Heads up - Warmth in a business context doesn't mean being 'overly nice' or letting people take advantage of you... Instead, it's about diplomacy, being respectful, empathetic and approachable - these are all leadership qualities too. Do you think you rate higher on Warmth or Competence?👇

WARMTH & COMPETENCE

Mwambo Kate

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"A ruler who governs with virtue is like the north star; he stays in his place, and all the constellations revolve around him." -Mencius (student of Confucius)In 202 BC (the year of the Ox), the Han Dynasty rose to power as Liu Bang became emperor Gaozu following the key battle of Gaixia. This marked the beginning of a golden age in China as it ended the warring states period and kickstarted many other local advancements in the fields of art, literacy, and trade, creating a lasting model for future dynasties. The Han dynasty followed the imperious Qin (pronounced Chin) Empire who led a harsh regime of government enshrining the values of Legalism - a system of government that emphasises rigid adherence to laws that prescribe punishment and rewards for specific behaviours. All activity in Qin China was directed towards furthering the Ruler’s power. The Han however; unified China under the ideals of Confucianism. Although Confucianist ideals did not promote democracy in the modern sense, they emphasised good leadership, the values of meritocracy and social order and harmony. In the first part of this essay, I laid out the general relationship between a functional centralised governing bureaucracy and a good quality of urban design and residential architecture. My argument is that Lagos State, Nigeria lacks a respectable standard of urban design and regulation; and that by extension, it has an ailing state of livable architecture; this is because a robust unifying ideology has not formed in the nation under any well-functioning centralised modern government. In this second part, I shed more light on the connection between these factors by first illustrating examples shown in dynastic China of the Qin and the Han. I contrast further with the context of Lagos by touching on how the indirect colonial rule and subsequent government have left much to be desired in terms of national identity formation and regulation of the urban environment. The Qin dynasty concentrated power in China following the warring states period; a timeframe marked by continuous struggles between non-unified feudal kingdoms. Emperor Qin Shi Huang merged these states through brutal conquest. Utilising the ideas of Statesman and reformer, Shang Yang, the legalist mode of government was used throughout the nation. From records in the Lüshi Chunqiu, an encyclopedic classic Chinese text, it is stated that Shang Yang believed rulers should be unconcerned with winning the people's hearts, but instead; with maintaining power. He advocated the strict use of law and punishment to control the citizenry. The reforms were concerned with increasing agricultural productivity within, and increasing defences and military might. Privileges in the government based on heredity were abolished and meritocratic appointments of the best minds were instituted via examinations. Here we see a strong central state power at work: Qin Shi Huang established the city of Xiangyang as the capital and standardised measurements, construction methods and standards for building across the region and made significant contributions towards physical defensive structures; notably the beginning of the Great Wall of China. <img src="/media/inline_insight_image/Dinastía china Qin o Ch'in (221-206 AC) - Arre caballo!.jpg" alt=""><img src="/media/inline_insight_image/70gwa2bh.png" alt=""> Great Wall of China; source: arrecaballo.es As mentioned earlier, the ideological imposition of the central Chinese government during this period contributed to the development of robust ideals in the people; this in turn reflected in the architecture of the nation as a whole. Whereas the Qin were concerned primarily with defence and securing the newly assembled polity, the Han dynasty implemented a more holistic approach to state building as well as ideology; Under this dynasty, the leadership was legitimased by Confucian values that had more direct contributions to aesthetics and human relationship with the environment. Confucianism is a philosophy based on mutual respect and kindness toward others. It was founded before the birth of Confucius but was significantly developed by his contributions in his later life. As the country expanded during the golden age, designs featured more symmetry, distinct large roofing styles, and symbolic carvings and features that became emblematic of China. The support of Confucianism also led to more institutions being developed with marked intricacy and beauty. <img src="/media/inline_insight_image/reconstruction of han dynasty weiyang palace in xi'an, china.jpg" alt=""> Weiyang Palace Reconstruction, China  Contrasting with the Context of Lagos, However; we find the first unifying government authority in Nigeria during the colonial period. In 1914 (the year of the rat) under British Colonial influence, Lagos was made the capital of Nigeria. Indirectly ruling in the region, the British imported cheap materials to service the construction of tropical-style houses in European quarters such as Yaba, Surulere, and Lagos Island - Houses featuring big roof overhangs, louvred windows, deep verandahs and features of British homes adapted for the climate. The colonial period coincided with the establishment of infrastructure and importation of many British institutions that facilitated the beginning of urbanisation in Nigeria, and Lagos more specifically. Although regulations were made they were not strictly followed throughout and mainly applied to areas of primarily European occupation. The British set modern standards for urbanisation where none had existed - imposing tried and tested methods in other colonies even in the novel context of newly formed Nigeria.Although indirect rule established a version of central authority, it was never a strong unifying force in the country; whatever ideals were imposed, did not come with much local input. As such, no strong national ideal permeating every facet of life could be observed as a result of colonialism. In the case of the Han dynasty, peasants already took to Confucian values before the rebellion that overthrew the Qin and established dignitaries. This bottom-up meets top-down merging of national values reflected in the strengthening of local institutions and sensibilities. As the British vacated Nigeria, the styles of architecture and institutions set up, having no local foothold from an ideological perspective, fell into dilapidation. <img src="/media/inline_insight_image/Jaekel House - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024).jpg" alt=""> Lagos Colonial Architecture; Toladeleke, trip advisorFollowing the British occupation; Nigeria experienced instability in the nature of its Government - moving from military to democratic rule in sometimes violent oscillations before the current stretch of democratic leadership. Less violent as it is, it has been marked by a steady decline in strength, with non-meritocratic appointments in its civil service, increased privatisation of otherwise public services and well-documented corruption. As the power of the national government has declined, so too has the state of the nation’s economy; citizens have been thrust into a low-trust society where survival and the acquisition of wealth for self-liberation have become the most common principles. <img src="/media/inline_insight_image/1u7k6og9.png" alt=""> Lagos Afro-Brazilian Architecture; Gillian Godwin, CNNLagos owes the diversity of styles in architecture to other influences such as the influx of Afro-Brazilian methods following the colonial period and the cosmopolitan nature of its population among other factors. Diversity is not a mark of ugliness or poor architecture or urban design. Diversity on the scale of Lagos, however growing without firm regulation, and with no nationally articulated vision of aesthetic culture, is a recipe for the ailing state I have so far described. As the country becomes increasingly impoverished, average citizens are less keen on hiring formally educated construction professionals. Developers also bypass the design professionals or downplay their influence in a bid to further maximise profit - safe in the knowledge that regulations can be bypassed through corner-cutting or bribery. This has created a city where most of the architecture is essentially Ad Hoc and improvised. <img src="/media/inline_insight_image/20240522_152839.jpg" alt=""> In conclusion: as established in the first part of this essay, the houses inhabited in Lagos - an extension of the general architecture and urban design, are lacking in quality and quantity (although this has not been a subject of discussion). I believe this is the case because no unifying national idealogy created by a functioning government has set the tone. I’ve attempted to show a brief contrast between the ancient Chinese government and Lagos, Nigeria. Where the Chinese empires of the Qin and Han established standards and institutions in multiple areas of daily life - employing legalism and Confucianism respectively and employing local context; Nigeria experienced no credible binding identity. Once the British colonial influence was removed, weakened institutions could not maintain regulation through the ensuing phases of government; as competence in the central authority declined in a shabbily unified nation no real national ideal formed and the urban landscape remained poorly or inconsistently regulated. I have tried to maintain a balance of due diligence on the topic and keeping the text accessible; I do however see some gaps in the essays that might be explored further in future. More academic research on the subject might be required, and more examples of cases where the government has been less than ideal; failing to set adequate design standards; and cases where the reverse has been or is the case. I hope I have made Lagos' predicament as it is in my eyes more visible to others. From the position of the everyday citizen, it might be the case that dedication to self-education on aesthetic sensibility would be of some help; Top-down regulation of the use of building professionals might yield some positives - particularly if trade unions are stronger in enforcement; and designers might need to get more involved in probing what more there is to design for beyond superficial reasons; more designs focused on fostering the sorts of values we would prefer to see in Nigeria would perhaps reverse engineer some ideological identity. Ultimately, Urban design and the architecture of happy homes (of good quality) are affected by a complex of issues only partially addressed in these essays. I have zeroed in on governmental failings because I see this as the root cause of many of these factors that play a part. The solution to that is beyond the scope of this two-part essay. All the same, collective action and education towards better governance on the part of the citizenry is always a good way to begin creating Solidarity and the shared ideals I've now repeated severally.

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Comments

Cyrus Majebi

Lagos • 9 months, 3 weeks ago

I'm reading this again and I just got reminded that I recently heard one of WhatsApp's early engineers talk about this. Good stuff.

Joshua Omoijiade

Senior Designer @ Studio Contra

Lagos, Nigeria

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In History and Culture • 7 min read • Jun 30, 2024 18:16p.m.

States, Societies, and the face of Lagosian Architecture: Part 2

States, Societies, and the face of Lagosian Arc...

Joshua Omoijiade

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Jefferson Nnadiekwe

Freelance scriptwriter and creative photographer

Lagos, Nigeria

The most common Nigerian response to economic hardship/relief measures is wait for it... rice! You might expect policy reviews or implementation, creation of jobs, financial improvement measures, etc. But no, each and every time, the government's answer is rice. Distribution of bags of rice, subsidization of bags of rice, importation of rice, empowering rice farmers, anything rice... everything rice. Like a friend of mine would ask; 'are Nigerians birds'? Frankly, it's pathetic and farcical that in the 21st century, the most common solution to our problems lies inside a bag of rice - maybe that's why it is so expensive.<img src="/media/inline_insight_image/8-P4vZLRKigtUtc7H.png" alt=""> During one of my up all night thinking sessions, I pondered on the possible reason for this. Why is rice always the answer? Bad news, I couldn't find a solution, but I came to another realization. The government aside, a lot of charitable acts in this country begin and end with food - of course with rice being the guest of honor. Just yesterday, I came across a certain recent ex convict's post, where he displayed all the packs of jollof rice he had made for prison inmates. In his words 'I fed over 2,500 inmates'. Of course, it's commendable. Any act of charity should be applauded right? But let's move away from commendation to pondering. In 24 hours, all those packs of jollof rice would most likely become human waste. Then it's back to how things were for the inmates. What's my point? There has to be some other more effective form of charity. Something that truly changes the dynamics of the society. We have a lot of foundations who specialize in feeding the poor. It's a noble fight against hunger - but not so effective. Rice will not solve the problem if the root isn't tackled. Don't get me wrong, I'm not the charity prefect. What I'm trying to say is that we need to start thinking of more permanent means to curb the rising level of poverty other than food. I personally believe that the problem of African countries is not food. Contrary to what the media portrays, Africa is blessed with an abundance of food. It erks me whenever foreign nations send down grains to Africa to fight hunger, like we live in one massive poultry. What we require, is more human friendly policies. The idea of cash crops needs to be cast away - it makes zero sense to prioritize the exportation of crops for money when your people are dying of hunger. It all just seems like rice has become 'weaponized' - make it unaffordable to the poor, so that the generosity that comes with distribution shuts the people up.<img src="/media/inline_insight_image/8-yFFcVTvFWRSxo8Y.png"> Moving away from the government to private philanthropists. Again, I might have no right to tell you how to go about your charity, but consider investing in rural development other than a meal a day schemes. Rural development doesn't have to be wide scale, it can be in your street or community. You might argue that such things are the duties of the government, however, the government doesn't suffer the effects. Give a man a plate of food and he goes back to being hungry in few hours. Equip a man to be able to feed himself, and he will never disturb you for grain again. Maybe all of this is rubbish. Maybe, in some weird way, rice is the answer. We might be some sort of birds after all - so 'cluck cluck' friends.

In Literature, Writing and Blogging • 3 min read • Aug 27, 2024 12:58p.m.

'COO COO'

'COO COO'

Jefferson Nnadiekwe

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As you may know, this is Men's Health Week and it crowns itself on Sunday with Father's Day. Honestly, if I didn't keep up with important articles, I would have no idea that this week was dedicated to the beautiful beings called MEN. I see no companies with targeted campaigns or flashy adverts that would sensitize or inform us Matter of fact, it's real quiet in the social media district These give you a sense of what it means to be a man There is a saying that "to be a man is not a day's job" and I wholeheartedly agree. Men rarely get believed for being violated, whether domestically or sexually. Okay, if a man comes to you and tells you that he has been violated and needs help, what is your first reaction? I bet you an average person would probably laugh or look at him weirdly, like "guy with all these muscle person beat you?" Tell me you haven't been in that situation 😒😒🌚🌝🌝 Or is it when accusations come up, especially the sexual kind and people are up in arms, crucifying him before he gets investigated. D'banj can tell you how it felt to be in that situation, because he lost his endorsements in one swoop. The influencer Tife was crucified for months on Twitter for this purpose. Hell, UG, another influencer, almost lost his reputation, if not for some receipts that vindicated him The world really is not fair to the men and when they finally get vindicated, it is already too late. This was the case of Izu, a talented designer tailor who committed suicide. He had just come out of a depressing state, looking to change his life and got hit by false claims just because he rebuffed a girl's advances. We are familiar with the Johnny Depp scénario which led to studios dropping him from projects, and it took years for him to decide to get a court hearing which finally vindicated him and exposed the true nature of his psychotic ex-wife, Amber Heard. Men are not allowed to be vulnerable and that specie of a man is seen as weak and stupid, as if vulnerability is some curse, instead of the healthy human attribute it is supposed to be. It is shown in how Will Smith has been treated in the media. Instead of sympathy, he gets memes and funny articles and videos made about him. Say what you want about the guy, he is someone in need of help but is not getting it, but rather, he is being crucified on the media cross. Then when we are left with a lot of emotionally unavailable men, we start to complain without realizing how much we have contributed to that happening Last year, I posted on Men's Day, asking the guys on my contact list to tell me when last they got birthday gifts or gifts of any kind. The responses were beyond heartbreaking I tell you. Some said it's been a while, another said from me and one other girl which was his birthday that year but none before that. One guy actually told me his last gift was when he was 8 years old. It's sad to see this happen but it should not continue to be the norm. I know some men contribute to these tropes as they love to be seen as some demi gods or untouchable but this article is not about those men. Men, allow yourselves to be vulnerable, talk about your feelings, be good, be kind, protect yourself and leave toxic relationships. Allow yourself to heal so you do not continue the hurtful vicious cycle. The solution starts with you and I and what choices we make now In all, go be the person you would be proud of, that your son or daughter would be proud of, that your wife and friends would adore You matter, you rock and there is absolutely nothing wrong with being the best and most honest version of yourself Finally, HAPPY MEN'S HEALTH WEEK!!!! Tell me about some things that need to change in the society regarding men's health and wellbeing

Hi, it's Jefferson, thanks for reading my insights.

I'm a creative screenwriter, photographer, cinematographer and creative director. You can check out some of my works here https://instagram.com/themi...

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LAYERS OF MEMORY AND ICE

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In People and Society • 3 min read • Jun 16, 2022 12:06p.m.

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Tari Ogbowei

Yenagoa • 2 years, 5 months ago

Lovely article. Had no idea it was Men's Health week or it's gonna be Father's Day soon. Can we really do anything to change the situatio...

Hi, it's Queensley, thanks for reading my insights.

I'm a Virtual Assistant, Freelance Writer, and help with your academic research. Reach me here https://wa.me/2348167337301

Tari Ogbowei

Content Writer and contributor @ TwoCents

Yenagoa, Nigeria

Since the creation of the internet, the world has gradually become a global village. The advent of digital media like social media sites makes this village even smaller. The likes of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and WhatsApp have evolved the manner in which information is shared as they are now the main means of disseminating information. The unique features these social media sites come with, make them really popular and it seems almost everyone with a smart phone has at least one social media account. The most popular of them seems to be Twitter, as it has little restrictions unlike the others. We live in a very fast-paced world nowadays and people can’t be bothered to spend a lot of time reading blogs or full-length news articles. Thus, the birth of microblogging—allowing people to share their thoughts or information in 280 characters. Twitter has the effect of giving people the feeling of being neighbours in a virtual street. Everyone and anyone with an account is accessible. Twitter encourages a high level of interaction with people all over the world even without any form of personal relationship. You don't have to know a person directly or be on their friends' list to have an interaction with their content. One could literally be in Nigeria have people in America interacting with their content. Although on social media, ordinary people can speak to anyone, even those in power without fear or favour but it goes a notch further on Twitter. Tweeps as Twitter users are called enjoy some form of identity protection as they can use pseudonyms as account names if they wish. Ordinary people have dared to call out, insult and even expose president's, politicians in general and large organisations and gone unscathed as these tweeps are largely untraceable. A lot of companies use Twitter to provide instant customer support. It provides faster communication lines than traditional support via phone. Twitter’s popularity as the go-to source of real-time news worldwide is the top reason why people visit the social networking site. It’s a popular outlet to report breaking news. Traditional marketing is not enough these days to maintain brand visibility in line with the business' target audience. Social media platforms play a huge role when it comes to promoting products and connecting with customers. Twitter remains a popular social media platform for marketers. All of this contributes to it's huge popularity and this is supported by the statistics. It is said that Twitter has some 330 million active users (MAU) based on its last reported data that leveraged this metric in the 1st quarter of 2019. As of 2020, Twitter’s monetizable daily active users (mDAU) stands at 166 million, which represents a 24% growth from 2019. Meanwhile, in the US alone, Twitter has 69.3 million active users as of January 2021. In Nigeria, Twitters popularity and usefulness was put to the test when it was used to organise the famous EndSars protest of 2020. That protest was one unlike the country has ever witnessed before, as the protest was coordinated in the 36 States of the federation and the FCT basically on Twitter. Dates, venues, safety tips, warnings and all were all passed on Twitter. Nigerians defied odds, disregarded ethno-religious sentiments and banded together to protest bad governance and oppression. It is that same energy that many Nigerians are bringing into the 2023 elections and have been using social media platforms especially Twitter, to campaign for their respective candidates. One candidate's popularity seems to visibly soar above that of others and many people, probably out of concern or rather fear keep pointing out that it's just social media hype. They say the supporters of Peter Obi are only on social media and not "on ground". To this, I reply, are the owners of these accounts not real people? Mr. Obi's supporters are touted to only be on social media, yet you find photos and videos of those running campaigns for him from their offices, homes, on the streets and in the markets, sensitising others on the need to register for and get their PVCs. Social media support is unreal and only virtual, yet other candidates seem to be making extra effort to have a social media presence. It is being rumoured that a certain candidate has recruited a number of influencers to help boost his popularity while undermining that of his opponents. Whatever anyone says, it is obvious that social media is the real deal and the candidates are doing everything to court the attention of the Nigerians online and improve their ratings as this would have a huge effect on the elections.

In Politics • 3 min read • Jul 12, 2022 23:28p.m.

The EFFECT OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN THE 2023 ELECTIONS: FLASHLIGHT ON TWITTER

The EFFECT OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN THE 2023 ELECTION...

Tari Ogbowei

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With the blaring alarm that the world we live in is going to end and all the apocalypse, world-ending movies will become a reality, countries and individuals became more environmentally conscious, making the ‘green’ version of everything and anything. Some countries started banning plastic bags and containers, some companies began to invest in more eco-friendly and sustainable materials for production, and others started recycling and practicing zero waste…we have even gotten to the point of making organic food and as someone who spent most of her life working with ENACTUS, an organization focused on making sustainable social ventures to create a better world, this is very exciting news for me. It will be even more exciting when this new wave of environmental consciousness begins to spread across various sectors, serving as premium solutions and a lifestyle for the future. In other news however, amongst all the aspects of life that have been positively impacted by this ‘green-ness’, one sector that I think will make a mind-blowing influence on a country especially third world countries that still struggle with providing basic amenities is housing….and here’s why ‘As the economy continues to bite harder, over 30 percent of Nigerians, translating to nearly 62 million people are now facing serious housing challenges’ - Vanguard This is why when I stumbled upon the idea of shipping container homes, it felt like I struck a gold mine and I am using this platform to increase the volume on it because this is something we need desperately in Nigeria. So what’s the big deal about shipping container homes? It is simple A shipping container home is a livable space produced from cargo containers which are huge reusable multi-purpose compartments used in transporting merchandise by sea. They can also be used for office spaces, short lets, hostel accommodations, shops, workstations, salons, kiosks, bars, gyms, cafes, etc. This new form of housing is an alternative construction method that is strong, portable, easy and quick to construct, cheaper, and most importantly, eco-friendly. A typical shipping container home is made from recyclable materials and can cost as low as 450,000 naira. It is also about 20-40% faster to build and is designed to be exposed to heavy loads, and regular rough handling, which perfectly solves safety concerns. Containers are the strongest structure available–stronger than wood, concrete, and even regular steel buildings. They are resistant to every type of natural calamity, including tornadoes, earthquakes, and even hurricanes, whether they are single units or a network of connected units. Teak and birch, two heavy-duty hardwoods, are used in the construction of the lower levels. So if you are worried about lifespan, you can be rest assured that they can withstand harsh weather conditions and salt water and have a very long lifespan. With the housing sector challenged by affordability issues, the rising cost of building materials, the difficult process of accessing land for housing, and hardly a structured mortgage sector the adoption of container technology will provide great economic, environmental, and sustainable solutions to housing in Nigeria. Imagine how many Nigerians will finally be able to afford their own homes and how the containers that would normally be abandoned and constitute a nuisance to the environment can be upcycled to create affordable living. This really is something that both the Nigerian government and individuals can begin to invest in and push the agenda for in order for this nation to not only achieve some of the SDG goals but provide basic amenities for its people. Until next time!

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Unpopular Opinion

God is a God of all religions, including the African Traditional Religion (ATR)

by | Asiogu Ugochukwu

I have always believed that the beauty of religion lies in the peoples' unique ways and approaches of upholding it. In other words, religion is best practiced in situations where there are less criticisms of whatever one is revering and whoever one is worshiping. Of course, religion is a way of life and as a matter of fact, it is a representation of man's spiritualism - an aspect of man's lif...

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Esther Omemu

Design Associate @ Hera Marketing

Lagos, Nigeria

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In Construction and Real Esate • 3 min read • Feb 01, 2023 16:44p.m.

The New Era of Housing

The New Era of Housing

Esther Omemu

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Halima Abubakar Rita Atuhaire Erhuen Edafe

My father was the first person I ever heard criticise Governor Bola Tinubu. He remarked that Tinubu “ruined Jakande’s progress in Lagos”. And that comment puzzled me at under-11 years. You see, if you grew up in Lagos like me, you probably loved the governor. He was a “champion” of democracy and was rarely ever reported in the news negatively. Now an adult, that love is lost. So, I have tried to understand what changed for me.As one who applies psychology in my work, I am familiar with the common biases that children have about older people and those in authority: Kids irrationally believe that adults are perfect beings, only to grow up and realize that it is not so. Yet, I am sure that this does not explain why younger me liked Governor Tinubu…because I equally disliked President Olusegun Obasanjo. I remember feeling that the man was the symbol of bad authority. I never heard anyone speak of him in a good light. He was tyrannical, incompetent, and corrupt. Corruption is evil. Yet I remember the rumours of Governors Tinubu and Fashola’s corruption being excused by… “Even if they steal money, they still worked.” Hearing adults say this gave me the idea that corruption is an inevitable part of governance. However, it is curious that this grace was not extended to Obasanjo. If you’re thinking that we were being manipulated somehow, you may be right. Say hello to the Nigerian traditional media. The tool for mass orientation. This election season, my position as a non-participating, but keen observer of political conversations and dynamics over the years has proved helpful as I tried to process and understand how I arrived at my current political leanings. You see, though I only started engaging in political conversations in 2014, I was not oblivious to the events that influenced the national mood. I recall the the 2012 Occupy Nigeria protests, Buhari’s comments on Boko Haram, and the Sanusi Lamido Samusi debacle, etc. However, being in the boarding house as a secondary school student until 2013 meant I had limited access to news, and to mates who were interested in politics. Those events, however, informed my dislike for candidate Buhari and his APC. Hence, I rooted for President Jonathan. Yet, I would not vote because I only turned 18 after the elections. Anyways, Buhari became my president, and I had to live with that. It was time to believe the best about him. But imagine my dismay at his performance. I believe that Buhari’s government has failed. And I think any non-party affiliated Nigerian will agree with me. Yet, over the last 7 years, I've observed how news reports were constantly manipulated to downplay his failures in security, support his terribly designed economic policies, and excuse his nepotism. The only problem was that this time around, they also had to attempt this decoration on social media in order to manage national outrage. And social media is a tougher terrain for that kind of business. Let me explain: Before now, we got news from the TV, radio and newspapers. Which meant that breaking news only ever spread the next day, or hours later. This gave those with the power to influence news ample time to kill or tone down any unpalatable report from being broadcast, or to limit its spread. Today, we get news as they happen, with video or image evidence, via unofficial sources, on platforms like Twitter and Facebook. Sometimes even before the government agents get wind of them. Hence the battle frontiers for dis-information are now broader and the resources required to control perception have exploded. Now, we can compare news we saw on social media with the reports made on TV and newspaper reports, and can tell when mischief is afoot. They’re still able to deceive many who are off social media. And this is not to say that social media is immune from information manipulation. However, it is now harder to achieve results like before, because there is no monopoly of news sources, and anybody from anywhere can rain on the parade of propagandists with evidence-backed reports. Too often we have seen government propaganda and narrative setting dismantled by eye-witnesses or field experts on social media. That was not possible before now. For propaganda to thrive on social media, the government will need to censor the internet as China does. The democratization of news sources has elevated the consciousness of the masses. And that is a good thing for democracy. To tie this up… As the economic capital of Nigeria, Lagos serves as the home of many of our biggest media houses. This is why in every political regime, the Lagos state governor is more popular than all his peers, and second only to the President. Hence, just like it is with entertainment, where any artiste whose music makes it in the Lagos market gains national acclaim. It also happens that the popular sentiment in Lagos rapidly spreads across the rest of the country, both in the news and on social media. For example, while EndSars protests started in Delta state, it didn’t take off or make the news until young people in Lagos took to the streets and refused to leave. Now, it so happens that the Godfather of Lagos politics, Bola Tinubu, is the owner of 2 of Nigeria’s biggest media houses, The Nation Newspaper and TVC, and maintains influence in the Lagos TV, PM News, and other media groups. And if you have monitored these media groups over the years, you can tell that they manipulate the news reports to project him and his associates in a good light. Learning these helped me to disabuse my mind from blindly trusting whatever is reported in the traditional media. Finally, as I read accounts of Tinubu’s acts over the last 30 years mostly on social media – which curiously never made it to traditional media – I am certain that my baby boy love for him was not based on merit but was the product of media orientation. So was I also manipulated into disliking President Obasanjo?NB: see the comments

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Samuel Ibok

Lagos • 1 year, 9 months ago

I'm imagining an island with just container homes. It could be called Tin Island! I think this is an area that needs to be explored consi...

Hi, it's Esther, thanks for reading my insights.

A creative writer born, bred and established in art of advertising...Feel free to check out my work samples here https://copyfol.io/v/mnw7r7...

Chinomso Uzoeto

Growth Marketing @ TwoCents

Lagos, Nigeria

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In Politics • 5 min read • Jan 05, 2023 01:22a.m.

How The Media Manipulates You To Love The Wrong Politicians

How The Media Manipulates You To Love The Wrong...

Chinomso Uzoeto

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Those who want freedom must embrace restraint, and those who want order must choose the...

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Chuks Oraka

Not far from the truth.

1 year, 10 months ago

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Samuel Ibok

Marketing Supervisor @ Crusader Sterling Pensions Limited

Lagos, Nigeria

Most people live their lives without seeing true beauty. Most Nigerians think they've seen it all because they've been to a few places. My dear comrades, if you haven't been to the Land of Promise, you haven't been anywhere. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a place many consider mythical—a land flowing with milk, honey, and oil! Akwa Ibom is derived from the Qua Iboe River, and the state is located in the coastal south of Nigeria. We have a few languages, and believe me, our language is special. Some say it sounds like Chinese, and others say it sounds like Korean, but we know our language is great. Oh, we also have an accent! I'm not going into details on that. Akwa Ibom State is wealthy. We are blessed with both human and natural resources. For a state created in 1987, I will say we've come a long way, and we are setting the pace for others. Because of our strategic location and close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, you can find several beaches in Akwa Ibom. Yeah, you've probably never heard of them, but they exist. The most well-known is Ibeno Beach. Fun fact: Ibeno Beach is actually the longest sand beach in West Africa. Let me rephrase: the longest sand beach in West Africa is found in Akwa Ibom State. The beach is a marvel with its beautiful coastline, which attracts thousands of tourists with an eye for beauty! Several festivals and games are held at the beach. Guess what? We share a border with Cameroon. Akwa Ibom is blessed with oil. Anything oily can be found in the state! from crude oil to palm oil to groundnut oil, etc. The state is currently the highest oil-producing state in the country. In other words, we are the ones fueling the nation! You can find some oil multinationals, such as Exxon Mobil, in the state. One thing we don't joke about in Akwa Ibom is education. There are several schools in the state, and in some neighborhoods, you can have as many as three schools. Some are neighbors! This demonstrates our appreciation for learning and our conviction that education liberates. You've probably heard about the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, which has a seating capacity of over 30,000. The state hosts a number of sporting events, and some of its athletes have competed in international events. Notably, we have our own state-owned airline, Ibom Air. It's the only state-owned airline in Nigeria. Mad thing now innit. Akwa Ibom people are largely hospitable and kind to our brothers from other parts of Nigeria. We enjoy politics, but we despise wahala. But when our lives are in danger, we are very good at giving people woto woto. My favorite part is the food. You haven't eaten good food until you eat a meal prepared by an Akwa Ibomite. I don't mean the Lagos branch or diaspora branch of Akwa Ibomites oooo! Delicacies include Affang, Atama, Editan, Edikan-Ikong, Ato mboro, and Ekpan Ku kwo. I'm salivating just typing their names. Just so you know, they taste better than they sound. People of the earth, if an Akwa Ibom woman cook for you, Akwenge (It is finished). You are taken because you won't recover from it. You will just fall in love. I guess it was love at first chow. Talking about our ladies, they are the personification of beauty, and they are blessed. I don't want to say "well-endowed." Just know that dem go carry you go wey you no know! Our men are equally good-looking and edible! If you doubt me, just look at my profile picture or look me up on Instagram (@iamsamuelibok). We fine die! Our beauty can make you SWERVE. Some people have the conception that Akwa Ibomites are excellent in Bedmatics! Akwa Ibom is the ideal place for people who want to relax and live the baby girl or baby boy lifestyle. The most time you can spend in traffic is 2 minutes, and things are relatively cheap, particularly house rent. It's a place where anyone can feel at ease. Akwa Ibom Ayaya...

In Nigeria • 3 min read • Feb 04, 2023 21:27p.m.

The Land of Promise

Image copyright/credit: The Sun Nigeria

The Land of Promise

Samuel Ibok

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If you like my insights, you can encourage me by sending a TIP. Thank you!

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Tom

Now I'm eager to visit Akwa Ibom 🥺

4 months, 1 week ago

Hi, it's Samuel, thanks for reading my insights.

I'm a Creative Writer and Poet on a mission to Tell Stories That Torch! You can find some of my works below https://www.instagram.com/p...

Asiogu Ugochukwu

Global Security enthusiast

Often times, I have asked myself, friends and even colleagues "what really is the best way to live life meaningfully?" The fact that not even one of them has been able to provide a satisfactory answer to the question gets me bothered because of course, they do not know and as such, want answers too. Day after day, there are a lot of teachings and preachings out there, in our schools, places of worship, workplaces and training centres about fate, faith, failure, success, determination, love, hope, destiny, winning strategies, attitude, creativity, scientific innovations, artistic creation, healthy living, and many more. However, it is baffling that after all these, people are still caught up in the web of confusion about what exactly it means to live meaningfully. In an effort to provide a standard that people need to follow in order to live a "fulfilled life", a lot of religious institutions have rolled out myriads of doctrines for their members. However, even with these doctrines, the confusion becomes more ntense. Truth is, humans have tried and worked so hard to condition and put a stake on life, forgetting that life itself is so limitless and as such, cannot be controlled by anyone. We have become so glued to rules,regulations and norms to the extent that we let them deternine our fate at every given time. More worrisome is the fact that we have become so feeble and vulnerable to the extent that we let in unhealthy beliefs, assumptions and thoughts into our hearts and minds without scrutiny, possibly because they came from our 'Papas' and 'Mamas,' 'Senior Men and Ladies' among other people who we hold at high esteem. Some of us have lost our sense of intuition, refusing to question bad and ugly situations, just because we feel it is morally unjust to challenge authorities and call out peoples' wrongdoings. But later, we complain bitterly of the pains and sufferings we go through because of the same evil we refuse to condemn. Who did this to us and how did we get here? It is no news that so many of us including myself has at one point or the other been brainwashed with a lot of fallacious teachings and assumptions that have ended up affecting our right sense of reasoning. Some of us, in an effort to practice these teachings, ended up ruining our relationships, quitting our jobs, ending our careers and losing our consciousness. In the end, I dare to ask "what if all these teachings were all a lie? What if all the preachments about Heaven, Hell, Success, Failure, Prosperity, Money, Fame, Wealth, Love, Life and Death were all social constructs fabricated to regulate our thought pattern and control our lives? What If there was really no need for the unnecessary competition and fights that we engage ourselves in just to prove a point? what if there is really no need for all stress we put ourselves through just to create wealth that would end up taking away our peace and creating for us more challenges?what if the meaningful life we seek is non-existent? I have always believed that there is no one formula for achieving greatness in life because all that we need to survive have been given to us. They are in our hearts and minds; not in the hands of people or making of doctrines. So, if we really want to live meaningfully, then, we have to begin by shunning unhealthy comparisons, following our intuition and prioritising our happiness.

In People and Society • 3 min read • Jan 20, 2023 11:07a.m.

When truths are lies and lies are truths

When truths are lies and lies are truths

Asiogu Ugochukwu

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Cyrus Majebi

Lagos • 2 months, 1 week ago

Really enjoyed listening to this, can't wait to listen to your new stuff.

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Quite often, we see post from contacts on our social media, about fake friends. Friends who do not reciprocate the energy or affection given to them. Some of us do not vent on social media, but we rather have it on our minds. And I am not going to lie, I once was guilty of this. However I got thinking, are these fake friends guilty of not reciprocating energy, or is it that they do not give as much as we want? The truth is some people are more expressive with their emotions than others. So if Mr A is more expressive than his friend, Mr B, does that make Mr B a fake friend. I would like to share an experience with a friend. Sometime, while I was ill; this friend made it a duty to call multiple times each day, to check up on me. A gesture I very much appreciated. Weeks later, she fell ill. I did same - called to check up on her, but not multiple times each day (morning and evening). However, she was offended by the fact that I did not call as much as she did. And I was branded with the fake friend tag. The experience got me thinking - maybe I wasn't being a good friend. But then again, I expressed concern about the state of her health. Just not as much as she'd have expected. Sometimes I still ask myself if I did a wrong thing. Sometimes, the people we brand as fake, are doing the much they can. But our expectations, blind us to see that. A lot of people have cut ties with valuable people in their lives because of expectations. I believe friendship should be measured by the impact a person has on another's life. And not based on some baseless record of reciprocity.

In People and Society • 2 min read • Sep 23, 2022 15:43p.m.

LET'S TALK ABOUT FAKE FRIENDS

LET'S TALK ABOUT FAKE FRIENDS

Jefferson Nnadiekwe

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Asiogu Ugochukwu

Global Security enthusiast

One of the demerits of "civilisation" is that it is biased in its udgements. It is highly selective and does not waste time in condemning a set of beliefs, ideas, and ideals as long as they do not align with its philosophy. Civilisation is man's representation of his disorganised and divided nature featured by his nastiness, solitariness and brutishness. It expresses man's hate and disdain for his fellow man otherwise I do not see any reason why some cultures are regarded as barbaric and others as "developed" and more "enlightened." Well, the overall truth about man's civilisation is that as unique and dynamic as the world is, so is the human cultural heritage which is fashioned and weeved into the peoples' beliefs and lifestyle. No matter how bad one may choose to slander a peoples" way of life, it doesn't change anything. Africa is a continent that is blessed with so many beautiful and interesting cultures that are not only symbolic and dear to the hearts and minds of the people but also are lnked to to their roots ,- the begining of their beginnings. Little wonder, foreigners in the continent always find it difficult to wholly grasp the mysteries buried beneath Africa's cultural practices. One of these practices that has often times than not, caused a great deal of confusion and distaste especially to foreigners as well as Africans that have been conscientised by Western-induced influences is the act of spitting as a form of greetings and blessings by the Massai tribe in Eastern Africa, precisely Kenya and Tanzania. The Massai tribe incorporates the act of spitting into their greeting ritual. They consider spitting as a mark of respect and blessing. They spit into their palms before a handshake - an act that signifies true and sincere gratitude and respect for one another. Spitting is a ritual for the Massai tribe and this is evident as parents, friends and family members spit on newborn babies in order to bless them with good luck. Also, parents bless their daughters on the wedding day by spitting on their forehead. Interestingly, while it unsurprising that spitting is often considered an uncivilised and unhealthy gesture, it has however, gained some positive connotation from the people of Massai tribe. Again, while most people may be quick at questioning the relevance of this ritual, it must not be forgotten that it is more than just an act to the Massai tribe, it is who they are and what informs their existence. Indeed, Africa is unique.

In History and Culture • 2 min read • Dec 16, 2022 10:55a.m.

THE SPITTING PEOPLE OF MASSAI TRIBE

THE SPITTING PEOPLE OF MASSAI TRIBE

Asiogu Ugochukwu

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Tari Ogbowei

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The body language of the government shows it supports this maniacal blood letting. The government has failed to curb this pariah. After this tragedy, the VP, Prof Yemi Osinbanjo came out to say, "We're united in grief". But on the night of the same day, they had a party in Aso villa. While we mourned, they partied hard. I'd rather say, our politicians are UNITED IN GREED. Their philosophy is to let Nigeria burn, so the masses are so occupied with putting out the fire while they loot unhindered. May Nigeria not happen to you.

In Politics • 1 min read • Jun 06, 2022 20:26p.m.

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Marketing Supervisor @ Crusader Sterling Pensions Limited

Lagos, Nigeria

My mom claims my dad couldn't resist her when he first saw her. I think it's called love at first sight. She carry am go where he no know. She equally shares the crazy story that my dad was quite interested in the fact that she was quite industrious and that she had recently returned from Lagos. Her next trip was to the church, where they exchanged valuable vows to do forever as one. My dad's recollection of the story above is quite different. I'll share that some other time. Sorry to disappoint you, but this piece is not about my parents love story. Sincere apologies for wetting your appetite! It's that time of the year when everyone is talking about love and stressing the need to show love, as though love is seasonal. What a world we live in! A tonne of people will succumb to the pressure of spending beyond their means just to please people they claim to love. I mean, the gesture is nice, but can we start loving intelligently? I think we're slowly getting to a point where love will become meaningless, relationships will be mostly transactional, and love will be used as leverage. I've been of the opinion that we like "because of" and we love "irrespective of"... This sits well with me because love sees beyond people's excesses, but love ain't eternal. Eternal in the sense that it's possible to fall out of love with someone. Yeah, I do believe this, particularly with the fact that we consider love a feeling. I think without intentionality, that feeling can become bland. It's kind of like when the dopamine rush is no longer there. When the person who once made your heart skip isn't giving, as Gen Z's say! It's being left with smoke, not fire. Well, I think it's bound to happen because even our views on love evolve as we age. In a world where gender roles are heavily ridiculed and criticised, it's crazy how there's still so much talk about what people should contribute to a relationship. I'm sure you've heard the question—what do you bring to the table? Na Relationship we de call table ooo! The question in itself is not evil, but it can throw you off balance. I've listened to a few people comment on this, and it's not surprising how they mostly take a materialistic approach. It's mostly about provision in terms of money. Hello world, there are things more valuable than money in a relationship. I get that most times love gets all the credit when money does most of the work, but we shouldn't subject ourselves to the concept of value in terms of just money. That, to me, is just insane. On the flip side, it's understandable because this heatwave in Nigeria and the inflation have affected our perspective. Sapa no be anybody mate. You can bring emotional support, knowledge, business ideas, a listening ear, stubbornness, humour, respect, and even peace of mind to the table. In fact, we should rephrase the question to "What do you want on the table?" I think sometimes people aren't realistic and considerate when it comes to conversations about relationships. Let your potential partner (prospect!) Know what you want and ask them what they want in a relationship. You'll be surprised that most people may not stay focused on just money. Maybe I'm wrong. So when you take your chair towards that table, think long-term. Remember that relationships are not a sprint—no be quickie! It's a marathon where both parties must cross the finish line together to avoid being disqualified, and this is irrespective of the pace of each runner. Dear men and women, society has defined its own expectations on the table so much that the table is unstable. Watch out for the bait and think outside the box. Fix your own table, and maybe your meal won't fall off! I don talk my own finish. Advise is like an elective course, no be everybody de take am! Happy Valentine!

In Relationships • 3 min read • Feb 15, 2024 06:50a.m.

Tables, chairs, and benches.

Tables, chairs, and benches.

Samuel Ibok

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If you like my insights, you can encourage me by sending a TIP. Thank you!

Not to worry, I'm writing in cursive(as SZA fans would say), you know, tapping into my Gen Z or whatever mode it fits But hey, who cares, we are here for a good time and not a long time right, so why bother writing out anything? I'm kidding, I do enjoy writing things out so let me put your mind at ease BHM is BLACK HISTORY MONTH!!!!!!!! Yay!!!!!! Are you as excited as the exclamations in my previous sentences? No? I guess not But yeah, February has always been reminiscent for Black Americans as a month to celebrate their ethnicity and values and culture and how far they have come from conquering slavery and I guess what the future holds. And this February has not been left out as it has been quite extraordinary due to the feats already achieved in the space of two weeks Wanna know more? Keep reading and you will First of all, this month began with Beyonce fans getting excited as she finally announced her world tour, after performing in Dubai for a grand opening of a hotel for a whooping sum of 24 million dollars. Yeah you heard that right, 24 million!!! Of course there were mixed reactions as some people thought that was just ridiculous for an hour's performance while others were proud or would I say so meshed in their emotions, they continued the worship of Beyonce and how she is not to be messed with, noting that as a black woman, this was historic. I mean the Arab money is not to be messed with, they got bank but for an hour's performance, I think not but go on girl, you have supposedly earned it Of course the alphabet community was not left out as they pointed out the hypocrisy in her performing for people who are against their "charming" lifestyle. Some even promised to withdraw support but I knew it was only comical because those tour waiting lines say different. Yes, a million people in line for the Renaissance tour is not as withdrawn as I would have pictured, so maybe their memory is as short as I don't know, a Kevin Hart or Kim Kardashian's 72-hour engagement 😎😎😎 That's up to them, I really do not care And still on Beyonce, last Sunday, she made history by being the most awarded artiste in Grammy history with 32 wins Now I'm not one to belittle achievements so I would say that is a beautiful one and congratulations are in order but I think at this point they just give her Grammies for giving sake or because she is Beyonce. That album was not Grammy worthy but hey, a win is a win, right? And you should note that despite this grand achievement, her entitled fans felt the need to hound the Grammies and Harry Styles because his album won over hers for "Album of the year". Now I have not listened to his album so I cannot really say if he did an amazing job on it but the guy had been carrying crowds all year 2022 and really doing his thing and his album was well received by a lot of people. The Renaissance album was not worth the hype in my opinion, in fact, it had to be forced on people and TikTok played a part in pushing two of the songs that gained popularity.. I remember when it came out, and the same people complaining called it trash or mid, so I find it odd that now they are angry it did not win Album of the year. It definitely was not Album of the year but entitlement wins I guess. Enough of Beyonce, let us go to other noteworthy acts Tems, a very talented singer became the first Nigerian female since Sade(check your history if you don't know her, she is a legend) to win a Grammy and damn, I am so proud of her. I remember when I saw her live in 2019 Palm Wine Fest, and she sang two of her jams then, Try Me and Mr Rebel. When I say this girl is talented, I would really be understating it. She sounded no different from the tracks. Beautiful voice and she brought something different to the table. In a few years, she has gone from that calm upcoming singer to a writer for Beyonce and Rihanna and a Grammy winner. Now that is cool 😎😎😎😎Speaking of Rihanna, she is about to headline the SuperBowl!!!!! She hasn't performed or recorded music in 6 years so this would be one to watch. The promo has been off the hook and I just really want to see what she brings.And please Rihanna haters, aka Beyhive, stay in your lane. I'm sure your fave announced her tour this year so she can take her shine. She always tends to come when RihRih doing something, like when Rih announced she was preggers and here comes Bey with some clothing line announcement, or when Rih was receiving her Video Vanguard and of course they scheduled Beyonce to also perform. It's like, okay we get it, quit with it already, we know you want the attention on you so bad but be calm 🙄🙄Oh, by the way, these thoughts are just what we see, thanks to stan Twitter and blog comments, they are not necessarily my thoughts. May be true, may not be true but it gets you wondering though. We cannot forget the men as Lebron James became the all time top scorer in the NBA. For those of you who love Basketball, you would agree that James is one of the greats and this is something beautiful to celebrate as he broke Kareem Abdul-Jabber's record. I know a lot of people don't like him or the way he lies but when someone puts in the work, you have to give credit where it is due and oga has paid it in full. I mean, do you know what it means to play about seven or eight fathers and sons? That's legendary and you gotta put some respeck on his name ( in my birdman voice)Let's not forget this was the 50th anniversary of the existence of the Hip Hop genre and let me just say, the generational flow of the genre evolution was great but missed out on the 2010s because tell me why you are bringing one hit wonders like Glorilla to the stage? Even Lil Baby's set was real quiet and that should tell you a lot. If you want to touch on the new generation, you should have focused on those who put in the work like Dababy, Roddy Rich, Flo Milli, or to help yourself, just ended with the 2010s honestly because the new generation hasn't put in enough work to be included. They could have been shown as highlights but not performers unless they were performing hits of older generations.The "God Did" performance was a waste of food in my opinion but at least they made up for something.And yes, to me Wayne had the best verse😎😎🌚🌚Jay Z fanboys can suck it.  And finally, Billboard and VIBE dropped its list of 50 Greatest rappers of all time and in the top ten, we had Jay Z as number 1, Kendrick 2nd, Nas 3rd, Tupac 4th, Eminem 5th, Biggie 6th, Wayne 7th, Drake 8th, Snoop Dogg 9th and Nicki Minaj 10th. Now this is a solid list or looks solid until you realize Kanye and Cole are missing in the top ten. I mean, even Jadakiss raps better than a lot of these dudes and I mean that in the best way possible. Snoop Dogg and Drake are way too high on this list(in my opinion) and Wayne is way too low. And if we are keeping it a buck, Nicki has already gone toe to toe with most men on this list so she is way too low for me. And Eminem is only put in that position because a white man cannot be seen as number one in the genre but that's okay. As a friend of mine said to me, whatever list of rapper rankings comes out, not everyone would agree with it and I concur. He also noted that everyone here has done exceptionally well with their influence and deserve to be there and I agree. One thing he said that stood out to me was rap fans always putting Biggie and Pac way too high on the rankings because they did not live long enough to fail as the others have done and because of that, they seem like martyrs and with martryship comes an inexplicable respect. People just want to keep them on that pedestal and if I'm being honest, I agree. But at the same time, for them to still be brought up despite being dead over ten years is something to be marveled at. Whatever the case, I respect what these people have brought to the genre and I maintain my stance on some. You don't have to agree🌚🌚 And yes Jay Z should not be number one and a lot of people agree with me(Jay fanboys would come for me but I don't care)🤣🤣🤣 Anyway, Happy Black History Month!!!!!

404

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Samuel Ibok

Lagos • 9 months ago

Truth is that people take things from previous relationships into consideration when getting into a new relationship. So hurting them wil...

Hi, it's Samuel, thanks for reading my insights.

I'm a Creative Writer and Poet on a mission to Tell Stories That Torch! You can find some of my works below https://www.instagram.com/p...

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Queensley Okon

Ota • 2 years, 4 months ago

Hmmm

Queensley Okon

Information Officer @ Covenant University

Ota, Nigeria

1141

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174

In History and Culture • 3 min read • Feb 11, 2023 06:27a.m.

BHM

BHM

Queensley Okon

0:00 / 0:00

Share your first insight - an insight could be something you learned recently or an idea you have about a certain topic.

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Hi, it's Queensley, thanks for reading my insights.

I'm a Virtual Assistant, Freelance Writer, and help with your academic research. Reach me here https://wa.me/2348167337301

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Asiogu Ugochukwu

Global Security enthusiast

When it comes to marriage and sexual preparedness as the elements of a people's sociocultural organisation in Africa, the Banyankole tribe remains unforgettable. Yes, I mean it and I do because they are an interesting people whose culture pays utmost attention to the need for sexual vibrance and satisfaction in every marriage - a factor that has resulted in a lot of marriage divorces and breakups in relationships in the contemporary times. Banyankole is a highly traditional Kingdom in Southwestern Uganda, East of Lake Edward. The kingdom comprises two major groups namely: the Bahima, who are mostly cattle rearers, and the Bairu, who are agriculturists. Unlike many African countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia among others where aunts provide guidance and counselling to their young nieces as they grow and develop from adolescence to adulthood, in Banyankole, aunts do more than guide and counsel their nieces; they take further action to confirm the groom's virility and potency as well as the bride's virginity before their marriage is approved. As a potency test for the groom, the bride's aunt was sometimes required to have sexual intercourse with the groom for confirmation that he could discharge his sexual obligation to his wife excellently without grudges or complain. On the other hand, she is also obliged to test and confirm if the bride was still a virgin. In situations where the bride's aunt cannot have sex with the groom, it is said that she will go as far as listening to or watching the bride and groom make love to each other in order to confirm the couple's potency and consumative preponderance prior to the approval of their marriage. This practice is very crucial for the people of Banyankole because they believe that sexual consumatiom informed the continued existence and progress of marital relationships between men and women. As such, they do not take issues bordering on impotency lightly. Indeed, these people are very realistic and focused in ensuring that their marriages work and couples enjoy themselves and union to the fullest. Of course, it is their culture; their lifestyle and not even their religion forbids it. Let me know your thoughts on this culture.

In History and Culture • 2 min read • Dec 22, 2022 12:05p.m.

THE AFRICAN KINGDOM WHERE THE BRIDE'S AUNT TESTS THE GROOM'S LIBIDO

THE AFRICAN KINGDOM WHERE THE BRIDE'S AUNT TEST...

Asiogu Ugochukwu

0:00 / 0:00

389

Tari Ogbowei

Content Writer and contributor @ TwoCents

Yenagoa, Nigeria

Just yesterday, the Nigerian internet space was agog with David Hundeyin's expose on Tinubu's sordid past. His involvement in drug trafficking in Chicago, USA in the 90s. Nigerians already had an idea that BAT was involved in drugs at some point but never knew to what extent. There have been rumors, insinuations and then a few articles on it but the details were always sketchy. David Hundeyin's article is so damning. It includes exact dates, names, pictures and court documents, everything in BAT's past he had tried so hard to keep hidden and suppressed. It has enough details and supporting evidence to indict the accused person 10 times over. One may question and even doubt the veracity of this exposé as the internet is full of fake news and anyone can easily concoct "chilled zobo" to drive in engagements. For this, we have to look at who David Hundeyin is and his antecedents. David Hundeyin is an independent investigative journalist who was quite an active voice during the EndSars protests of 2020. He went into exile with a few others like himself after the protests, when the Buhari government started a clampdown on those who they felt were instrumental to the protests. Since then, his main medium has been Twitter. He single-handedly investigated the Ini Umoren murder case, doing the work of a whole team of police investigators and was able to pinpoint the murderer and his cohorts with almost a 90 percent accuracy given the information at his disposal. He was even able to indict a serving Superintendent of Police who was also a serving DPO for complicity in the crime, yet nothing was ever done. He investigated African tech unicorn, Flutterwave, for sexual misconduct, fraud, perjury, insider trading, money laundering and some other misconducts. A huge defense was put out but only recently, it was reported that the Kenyan government had frozen accounts in their country linked to Flutterwave for alleged money laundering. For years, Nigerians had heard that Boko Haram had sponsors among the affluent of the Nigerian Muslim society and also within President Buhari's government. This was even backed up by foreign security reports from America and even Dubai, yet our government didn't do as much as bat an eyelid and then here comes, David Hundeyin with his "Cornflakes for Jihad: The Boko Haram Origin Story" article. This particular article had irrefutable evidence against our Minister of Communication, Isa Pantami as a sponsor and Boko Haram sympathiser, who the American government had on its terrorist list but our government with its attitude of impunity went on like nothing had happened. Mr. Hundeyin's sources and stories have been proven to be credible time and again. His work is impeccable and he is touted as being so good, he can dig up dirt on anyone and even give one a history of themselves or their parents, which they have no idea about. He has taken on individuals, large corporations and even the government and has been proved right everytime. Mr. Hundeyin, as a result of his work and his satirical responses to would be attackers has been given many names on Twitter, like "The chief cook of vawulence", "The coach of vawulence FC", and "The principal of vawulence secondary school" among many others. Recently a poll was conducted and he won the title, "The king of clap backs". He is a terror to perceived enemies as they don't dare to cross his path out of fear of their dirty dealings being exposed. Mr. Hundeyin doesn't just write for content and engagement but to help Nigerians see properly, the deceit of the current order which they would ordinarily not have access to. He spends his time and scarce resources to keep Nigerians abreast of truths, swept under the carpet and forgotten to enable the bulk of Nigerians make informed decisions and do away with the current order. Yet, after all of these and his very recent exposé on BAT, some people are still so adamant and blind, that they have decided to follow BAT, even if he leads them to "Hades". In my opinion, anyone, especially from the lower class who after reading Mr. Hundeyin's exposé and still decides that voting for BAT is the right thing to do is the Pharoah of his own destiny. The Egyptians he sees today, he will see tomorrow and keep seeing forever. For the purpose of context, find the link to this exposé below: https://westafricaweekly.substack.com/p/bola-ahmed-tinubu-from-drug-lord?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share

In Politics • 3 min read • Jul 14, 2022 10:55a.m.

THE EXPOSÉ ON BAT

THE EXPOSÉ ON BAT

Tari Ogbowei

0:00 / 0:00

They say if you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life. Honestly, that has been true for me. Working at one of my dream jobs transformed me in ways I never imagined. I was in primary school when I mentioned that I wanted to be an actor and as I grew into a teenager, I realized I also have love for radio and wanted to be a broadcaster too. Well, this write-up is about the latter. During my NYSC days, I had the incredible opportunity to work at a radio station. One of the first things that struck me was the importance of scripts. Every On-Air Personality (OAP) had a script, a well written one that guided them through their shows. Listening to them, it’s easier to think they didn’t need a script because they were that good but I was quick to understand that these scripts weren’t just for guidance; they were essential for keeping the show on track, sticking to the time frame, and ensuring all the facts were spot on. I have always loved radio. As a teenager, I would switch on my father’s big radio and immerse myself in the voices of my favourite OAPs—Yaw, Lolo 1 of Wazobia FM, Tosin Bucknor, and a few others whose names escape me now. My go-to stations then were Wazobia FM, Lagos Talks, Top Radio, and Beat FM. One voice that I can still clearly hear is that of a frequent caller to Lagos Talks' midday show; he was soldier who had been sprayed with tear gas, which caused him to lose his vision. Hearing him talk was always a pleasure for me. In my opinion, he had become a family member of the radio station. I also desired to be a member of a radio family. So, when I started working in the newsroom at a radio station, it was a dream come true. Even though I lived far away, I was never late to work. For me, getting in early meant more time to learn from my surroundings. Every morning, I would file the news bulletins, and if there were extra copies, I would keep them. Some OAPs would leave behind their scripts from the previous day’s shows, and I would keep those too. Once I was done filing, I would sit at my desk and read them out loud, feeling like a broadcaster. I remember reading a news script to one of my bosses, and she said, “You’re doing good, but it sounds like you’re singing.” She suggested I talk to one of the station’s best newsreaders for tips. Though I hesitated, not wanting to seem too forward, I made it a point to listen every time the news was read. Each broadcast became a lesson for me, and it felt like I was in a broadcast training school. The OAPs were top-notch and I learnt something new everyday. My dedication didn’t go unnoticed. My bosses were incredibly supportive, and when a newsreader was unavoidably unavailable, they gave me the chance to step in. That was one of the best days of my life! You can probably guess why my bosses trusted me with that opportunity. Maybe someday, I will share a more detailed account of that experience. I have always been intentional about the things I love, and my time at the radio station was no different. Now, as a freelance voiceover artist, writer, actor, director, and host, I still rely on scripts every time I record. So, why did I write all of this? While rearranging my locker, I found a script I had written for a personal demo recording. It took me on a nostalgic journey down memory lane. Your turn! Have you ever had the chance to work at a place you have always dreamt of? How did you embrace the opportunity?

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Comments

Queensley Okon

Ota • 2 years, 4 months ago

My dear, I will say it time and again, vote for who you want and PREPARE for the CONSEQUENCES because they would be dire.

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Comments

Queensley Okon

Ota • 2 years, 5 months ago

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 you gotta be kidding me

Comments

Tomi Walker

Lagos • 1 year, 9 months ago

This is really good.

Hi, it's Joshua, thanks for reading my insights.

My broad range of interests include art, design, philosophy and writing about where they might intersect. Find out more here: https://www.linkedin.com/mw...

Emetekefe Akpovwovwo

Writer, Filmmaker and Voiceover Artist @ Jorak 56 Films

Lagos, Nigeria

236

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In Journalism • 3 min read • Aug 20, 2024 19:52p.m.

MY EXPERIENCE AT THE RADIO STATION: A STORY OF GROWTH

MY EXPERIENCE AT THE RADIO STATION: A STORY OF ...

Emetekefe Akpovwovwo

0:00 / 0:00

growth script broadcasting nostalgia

THIS INSIGHT HAS STARTED RECEIVING TIPS

Once, in the Northern part of France, in the Parisian Cafes on the left bank, a diminutive son of a sailor named Jean Paul Satre was playing his part in making philosophy cool. He was a famous thinker who dealt with a branch of philosophy described as existentialism. After one of my essays on how we matter on a cosmic scale, I got into a discussion where someone said: “ Each of our potentials is crazy, and this universe is so massive that being lost and forgotten is very easy.” There was more to the conversation, and my post about cosmic significance meant something a little different - but it got me thinking about two things. Existentialism, and my best film of 2022: ‘Everything everywhere all at once’. I’m heavily biased towards this picture for some reasons; it describes the limitless potential we might all hold and the different circumstances the universe could, theoretically, allow us to express ourselves within. It even shows a noble way to maybe deal with the bizarre versions of everything. I return to Satre. In his thoughts and literature, he put forward the idea that the absurd nature of existence was freeing - it liberated us from any predestined purpose. Like the other existentialists, he believed we had so much we could be, so we should take responsibility for choosing our own meaning. “Being precedes essence”. This school of thought took hold as people became increasingly disinterested in religion and metaphysics. The movie, Everything Everywhere All At Once follows Evelyn Quan Wang, a stressed failure of a woman who discovers that she is connected to every version of herself in every possible universe. She sees the versions of her that mysteriously each excels at all the many hobbies she currently clings to in her life. She even discovers she is the one Evelyn that has failed to excel at even one. As she navigates this complex web of connections, she begins to understand that every choice she makes has a ripple effect that echoes throughout the multiverse. She even has the unique opportunity of glimpsing all of the possible versions of reality all at once. It nearly breaks her. She glimpsed what the existentialists defined as the absurd - the meaningless sphere of existence with no inherent purpose. The absurdity of it all had broken the antagonist, Jobu tupaki At first, this realization takes her to the point where nothing matters. She imagines if every choice we make is insignificant in the grand scheme of things, then what's the point of trying? But Evelyn’s journey teaches us that the opposite is true. Every choice we make is connected to something bigger than ourselves, and even the smallest action can have a profound impact. I realised long ago; in the face of a meaningless universe, a brave and kind disposition, bearing your cross of purpose in that uncertainty is not the only logical conclusion. People can logically decide nothing matters; people can logically despair. In this film, however, Evelyn makes a calm and brave choice to fight for the family and life she currently has, but also telling is how two other characters decided to deal with the mass of nothingness that surrounds them. Waymond Wang, Husband to Evelyn, interrupts a big bloody fight in the end to preach kindness; he tells everyone he knows they are fighting because they’re confused. “Please be kind, especially when we don’t know what’s going on”, he says. As he speaks, Evelyn lives a memory of another life with a Waymond she could not marry. “You think I'm weak, don't you? ……. When I choose to see the good side of things, I'm not being naive. It is strategic and necessary. It's how I've learned to survive through everything. I know you see yourself as a fighter. Well, I see myself as one too. This is how I fight”. It’s the most moving part of the film for me, and I bring it up not because I’m prescribing kindness as a remedy to the questions of purpose in an absurd universe; I bring it up because whether you have an infinite view of reality like Jobu Tupaki or on the other end, you’re just as confused as Waymond, Satre and the existentialists are saying you get to choose how you fight. You have all the say in how you face all the versions of yourselves. Maybe it’s a lot. I call it the dizzying wind of transcendence. But you can be many other yous, or you can stay right there even if all you arm yourself with is kindness.

Joshua Omoijiade

Senior Designer @ Studio Contra

Lagos, Nigeria

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In Literature, Writing and Blogging • 3 min read • Feb 20, 2023 21:03p.m.

Finding meaning with anything anywhere all at once

Finding meaning with anything anywhere all at once

Joshua Omoijiade

0:00 / 0:00

Thank you for your time! if you enjoyed reading this and would like to help me create more, please leave a tip and share - no amount is unwelcome 😊

Yes, it is a real thing and even though it was something I made up that is yet to make it into any dictionary, not even urban dictionary, I still stand confident that it is a real thing that we must talk about. Work esteem is a concept I developed through my years breaking into the labor market and trying to just survive. As a new graduate with no idea about my skills, what I could offer to the market, and my relevancy in this world, I already had a bad start to the beginning of what eventually became an overwhelming rollercoaster in the labor force…and I know that I am only one who felt that way. Imagine this: You have spent four or five years gaining theoretical knowledge about a course or field that you somehow found yourself in. You managed to scale through by crook and nook and sacrificing your mental health but all that is finally over, you have graduated. You start celebrating, high on life, filled with hopes for the new future you are about to experience. For some of you, you are lucky enough to already know what you want to do when you leave, for others you have legs long enough to take you anywhere, and for others, you are trying to eat your rice in peace because the thought of the future is an instant panic attack. Clearly, I was ‘others’ but let’s not digress. Halfway into the rice, the realization that you have gone from undergraduate to unemployed starts to painfully sink in and whether or not you are ready for it, you still worry a bit and you wonder how it is going to be. Fast forward to a few months later, some of you are settled nicely in your cushion offices, holding on to the coattails of whoever squeezed you in with their power. Some others are still running around trying to figure out what they need to do, CV in one hand and application to Japa in the other. The final batch made it into a company, they don’t know what they are doing there other than the fact that they can finally brag that they are gainfully employed. Yay! You finally have a job, but whilst you are super excited that you can finally join the big boys and tell people you work now, you are also starting at the bottom of the ladder, doing something you’ve never done before, and as a result, your confidence and esteem takes a real hit. For some, it starts from the first day, you’ll already start hearing a tiny voice in your head telling you that you’re not good enough and that you’re probably going to get fired soon. Stick with me…don’t stop imagining. At this point, this is where ‘work esteem’ becomes a thing and basically it means the same thing as self-esteem except it is especially suited for the work environment. I didn’t agree with myself at first that this was a thing until I started having regular mental breakdowns on Monday to Friday and then when the weekend rolled in, I was absolutely fine. I was confident in myself, my appearance, and everything else but the moment someone mentioned anything about my work or capacity, it was back down to breaking down. I concluded then that having relatively high self-esteem in my life did not translate at all to my work. I entered the labor market very beggarly because I was unsure of what I had to offer and I was too scared to ask for more or reach for more...and I spent my first two years, working aimlessly just to get scraps of compliments from my bosses. This is the moment where some people start to experience imposter syndrome and then fear of failure for others. You panic every time the phone rings, you worry every time someone comments on your work, your heart skips a thousand beat once your manager calls and almost every night, you are wondering why they haven’t fired you yet. You work like a slave and take on more tasks than you are paid for because you worry that if they fire you you can’t somewhere else or that you have to do it to properly earn your pay. You magnify every comment about your work and emotionally dwell on past failures. For me, I nearly quit many times but then again I didn’t even have the confidence to quit so I guess in a way, my low work esteem protected me. Everywhere you turn, there are a million and one people who are so much better than you. You graduated with a first-class, worked at a big company for your internship, and acquired relevant Coursera certificates yet there is one guy who is younger than who, earning nearly three times as you, started three companies already, and is the consultant for the company you work for. At this point, you have been working for a while but it feels like there is no progress, your salary is becoming even more useless but you don’t know if you can ask for more because you don’t think you deserve it. You are already hating your job, everybody on LinkedIn is working their dream jobs and earning millions of dollars at 18 and there’s you, you who is just trying to not quit and wondering why you studied 5 years in university only to suffer like this. You are considering starting a business but when you can barely send an email without typos, how would you start a business? Your ‘work esteem’ here has basically hit rock bottom. Let me tell you something, if you are experiencing this and you are wondering why this is happening to you…and why everyone else seems to be fine...I’ll let you know one thing. You are not alone. I can’t say for all people but I can boldly say this happens to a lot of people and it is okay. So here’s what you can do to overcome it. First, step out and see the light. No, sorry, that’s the wrong advice, definitely not for this post. The first thing I did to overcome this was to sit back and draw a list of the value I bring to work. What can I do? What do I do? Where am I relevant? You’ll be surprised to see how much you have been underselling yourself. If you can’t answer these questions yourself, find someone who will tell you. It could be a work colleague or a good friend, just find someone who you trust and let them sit with you through this conversation. Once you figure out what you can do, then you need to go around and search for the market value of your skills. How much are my skills worth in the market? If you realize you are worth more, then you need to decide to either stick with where you are and demand a pay raise or go somewhere you will be better appreciated. Some companies are great enough to evaluate and increase your salary without prompt but most will not…because who doesn’t like cheap labor…so you have to do it. I died a hundred times when I sent an email about an increase in my salary and even then I approached it so beggarly but surprisingly, the feedback was so positive, I wondered why I was suffering for so long. Once I started earning better, my work esteem was greatly boosted. The next thing I did was to begin to take louder initiatives so rather than labor in silence and earn nothing, I worked louder. Basically, be more proactive, and be seen. Within a few months of doing this, I got promoted twice...and up my work esteem went. Yes, you are a fresh graduate and you don’t have a lot of experience, yes, everyone else seems to know better than you and you don’t have much to offer…but it doesn’t matter. Sell yourself bigger than you truly are and then work to meet that standard…that’s the principle I now work with…and it works amazingly well. Finally, challenge yourself out of your comfort zone. Accomplishing things you were afraid to do will not only boost your work esteem but position you for better opportunities. Identify your strengths and capitalize on them; rather than dwell in misery about your weakness, make noise about your strength and make it so relevant that they can’t do without you. Let me give an example, in one of the places I worked, I created a niche department that added significant value to the company but my work esteem was too low to appreciate it. I still worked beggarly and settled for scraps. It wasn’t until I got sick one day and requested a three-day leave that the reply email read ‘due to the importance of your position, we can only offer you one day's leave’...It was at this moment, I realized how much I had undervalued my efforts for the company. I decided to add more strength to the niche department, capitalize on it and make so much noise about it until I was promoted to the head of the department. If you look back at how far you have come, you’ll be surprised at how much you have done and how much better you are than you think. So this is my little message to new graduates and fresh workers, don’t sell yourself short. Ask for more than you think you deserve at interviews, be shameless about your worth…and don’t let loyalty to any organization drag your work esteem to the trenches. Peace Until next time!

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Comments

Chidera Odom

Benin City • 2 months, 2 weeks ago

This is a beautifully crafted piece. Very intelligently written!!!

Hi, it's Joshua, thanks for reading my insights.

My broad range of interests include art, design, philosophy and writing about where they might intersect. Find out more here: https://www.linkedin.com/mw...

Esther Omemu

Design Associate @ Hera Marketing

Lagos, Nigeria

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In Career and Jobs • 4 min read • Feb 09, 2023 09:25a.m.

This thing called ‘work esteem’

This thing called ‘work esteem’

Esther Omemu

0:00 / 0:00

Oluseyi Vandy

Samuel Ibok Samuel Bika

504

Comments

David Adaaja

1 year, 9 months ago

This was literally me a couple of years ago. Even made a huge mistake at work. But I've found my feet and confidence.

Hi, it's Esther, thanks for reading my insights.

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Tari Ogbowei

Content Writer and contributor @ TwoCents

Yenagoa, Nigeria

The build up to the 2023 presidential election gets thicker everyday. The players of this particular election have made the stakes higher. It's even coming off like a Steven Spielberg directed movie. It's just so interesting. It seems like Nigerians get more interested in politics with each political season and this one is unprecedented. The activities of this election season has overshadowed the usual online top searches. Nigerians have never been this interested in politics, since, maybe, pre-independence. It was such a shock to discover that the famous Big Brother Naija (BBN) which is usually the No.1 top search whenever it is on, is not even in the top 10 searches. Why? No other reason, other than, it's election season. When this year's edition of BBN was about to start, I was scared that Nigerians, especially the youth would turn their attention to BBN, be distracted and the initial momentum would lose traction. It is however fulfilling to see us, as a people focus on the task at hand, which is reclaiming our country from neo-slavers and not give in to the obvious distraction. I'm so sure this would be the worst year for the BBN organisers. The official kick-off for campaigns for the elections was billed for 28th September and it seemed Nigerians were more fixated on the date than the contestants themselves. Nigerians have been watching with keen interest, the activities of the 3 major contenders. While the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi kicked of his campaign in the presence of ordinary Nigerians in Plateau, Jos, the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar aka Unifier only stormed the International Conference Centre, Abuja in company of other party members to inaugurate his Presidential Campaign Committee amidst an internal crisis rocking the party. The Unifier can't seem to unify the warring factions in his party. Obviously, unifying Nigeria will be a feat too difficult to handle for Mr. Unifier, except the suffix is meant to deceive gullible people again. Meanwhile, Bola Ahmed Tinubu aka Emi lokan is conspicuously missing in action (MIA). He's being made a mockery of all over social media. He seems to have jetted out of the country on one of his many medical vacations. He maintains that he wants to continue the Buhari's legacy. Laughable, I must say. At least Buhari got into office before going MIA every now and again but Emi lokan hasn't even gotten close to the office and he's already always MIA at the most inauspicious times. Without going further on this, it is without doubt that despite the sufferings of Nigerians under Buhari, a Tinubu presidency will usher Nigerians into more perilous times, worse than we have ever known before. A Tinubu presidency, going by his antecedents and recent exposés will turn Nigeria into a ghostland and a wasteland, one only which his henchmen and cronies benefit from. Well, now that campaign season is officially open, our faves can now have a field day convincing us why we should support them. Will it be a battle of the gladiators, a local Derby or will the usual rice, 5k or beans (since it has recently been added to the mix) be in circulation like the very weak Naira? Whatever the case, I'll leave you with this, "if you collect 5k na for four (4) years meanwhile olosho dey collect 20k for one night." It's CAMPAIGN SEASON, make we borrow ourselves sense.

In Politics • 3 min read • Oct 01, 2022 16:34p.m.

IT'S CAMPAIGN SEASON

IT'S CAMPAIGN SEASON

Tari Ogbowei

0:00 / 0:00

333

Comments

Asiogu Ugochukwu

2 years, 1 month ago

I believe say this time around, our mumu don do.

Tari Ogbowei

Content Writer and contributor @ TwoCents

Yenagoa, Nigeria

It is no longer news that some notes of the naira have been redesigned and are billed to be put into circulation soon. On the 26th of October 2022, the CBN announced plans to redesign the #200, #500 and #1,000 denominations, and distribute the new notes to replace the existing ones. The CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele announcing the development, informed Nigerians that the exercise had been approved by President Muhammadu Buhari and that distribution of the new notes would commence on Dec 15th, 2022 and that commercial banks would have them available for public withdrawal. Meanwhile the old notes would still be accepted for transactions until January 31st, 2023, after which only the new notes would be legally recognised and accepted for transactions. A country's currency notes can be redesigned or totally replaced for a number of reasons. Although, the main motive has always been counterfeiting threats and keeping counterfeiting levels low. Redesigning a currency helps in improving its monetary security by helping the country to stay ahead of counterfeiting threats and keeping them in check, while making sure it's counterfeiting levels are low. A country may instead of redesigning, introduce a new currency if there is a major gap between the official exchange rate and the informal or market rate which directly translates to that country's price system being complex and inefficient. Other reasons could be hyperinflation, massive counterfeiting of the existing currency, or even war. The CBN has said that with the redesign of some naira notes, it hopes to achieve a reduction in counterfeiting, encourage a cashless economy, and stave_off cash hoarding. According to the CBN governor, CBN statistics show that over 85 percent of currency in circulation are outside the vaults of the commercial banks. He said that, at the end of September 2022, CBN statistics show that #2.73 trillion of the #3.23 trillion currency in circulation, was outside the vaults of Commercial banks across the country, and this amount is supposedly held by the public. "Evidently, currency in circulation has more than doubled since 2015; rising from #1.46 trillion in December 2015 to #3.23 trillion in September 2022. This is a worrisome trend that cannot be allowed to continue." He said the bank believes this has a direct impact on inflation, which reached a 17-year high in September, 2022. The CBN with the redesign, also aims to bring more people into the financial sector, and reduce the incidences of kidnapping and terrorism because there will be no notes in circulation for ransom payments. Going through the aforementioned, it seems like the CBN has engaged on a praiseworthy agenda, but redesigning, producing and distributing of new currency notes, as well as recalling the current notes vis-a-vis achieving the set goals, within the 3-month time frame might be a little too ambitious, even for the CBN. Usually currency redesigns take quite some time to enable proper planning and implementation but the timing of this redesign of the naira from the day it was announced to the day the new notes were launched to when the new notes will be introduced and finally to when old notes will no longer be accepted is all within a short space of time. The process is being rushed and it leaves questions. Why the rush? Why must this exercise be completed within 3 months? Does it have anything to do with the elections? What are the policy plans that guide this process? What and where is the evidence that this process will yield the results claimed by the CBN governor. Section 20 (3) of the CBN act states that “notwithstanding sub-sections (1) and (2) of this section, the Bank shall have power, if directed to do so by the President and after giving reasonable notice on that behalf, to call in any of its notes or coins on payment of the face value there and any note or coin with respect to which a notice has been given under this subsection, shall, on the expiration of the notice, cease to be legal tender”. As provided above, the only requirement for reissuing currency is that the CBN intends to do so, arranges for the process to be done, and gives reasonable notice of its intention to do so. But has the CBN given reasonable notice? It would be instrumental to weigh this exercise with other countries who have engaged in it prior and the results it achieved. For emphasis, let us take a look at India's 2016 Demonetisation Policy and the US' current plans to redesign and reissue the US Dollar. In 2016, the Indian government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a plan to stop corruption and reduce the amount of money in circulation by withdrawing and reintroducing the 500 and 1,000 denominations of the Indian rupee within six months. In 2018, a Bloomberg report stated that the scheme froze “agriculture and small businesses with a liquidity shock, put people through unnecessary hardship, disrupted supply chains, and destroyed demand for everything from autos to property”. Net savings in India were reduced by 50 per cent a year after the policy was implemented. The currency in circulation also increased to 20 trillion rupees from 18 trillion rupees before the policy. A 2018 report by the International Monetary Fund titled “Article IV Consultation Report on India”, also provided that the disruption caused by the cash shortages dampened consumer and business sentiments. The abruptness of the policy and the consequent shortage of cash led to the policy’s poor performance. In the United States, the currency redesign and distribution exercise are both systematic and systemic. Before a Federal Reserve note enters circulation, it must pass through four critical steps which are design, order, production and issuance. According to the US Federal Reserve, the primary purpose of any redesign is security – “the careful integration of exclusive security features to keep cash safe, secure and to ensure the stability of the US economy”. According to the agency in redesigning the currency, “notes must be resistant to increasingly sophisticated counterfeit attacks. New features, closely aligned with and integrated into the new design, are developed to address this threat. More than a decade of research and development, followed by years of optimization and integration testing into the banknote, is required to ensure the successful deployment of these features into US currency”. The US Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which collaborates with the Federal Reserve as well as the Treasury Department and the US Secret Service, reported that the US has ongoing plans to redesign its currencies. The Bureau states that “the current denomination sequence and planned issuance dates have been in development with the Advanced Counterfeit Deterrence Committee since 2011: $10 (2026), $50 (2028), $20 (2030), $5 (2032) and $100 (2034). This sequence addresses risk mitigation and counterfeiting concerns”. Considering the two case studies, a 6 months time frame in the Indian case proved to be counter productive and achieved none of its lofty goals. In the US case, plans have been on to redesign the dollar since 2011 and the first currency to be revised and reissued, the $10 note will be done 15 years after, in 2026. While there is no provision by law or rather an inadequacy in the provisions of the law of a procedure to effect the redesign of the naira, the next best indexes precedents, regulations & policies of countries that have been successful at the same exercise, and global best practices. A reference to the Indian and US cases cited above, it is clear that a hurried approach to any redesign exercise proves with a high level of certainty to be counter productive and unbeneficial to the currency and economy of that country. It goes without saying, that a 3 month time frame for the redesign of the naira notes with goals of achieving all that has been outlined by the CBN governor is too short, will definitely prove counter productive and almost definitely achieve none of its set goals. At this point, one begins to wonder, that with the plethora of information available to any individual in the 21st century, how does an apex bank, which is partly responsible for the financial stability and economy of over 200 million people and has a retinue of well paid and supposedly well educated staff make such decisions with a high certainty of being counter productive and having adverse effects on the economy?

In The Economy • 6 min read • Dec 11, 2022 17:15p.m.

NAIRA REDESIGN: EFFECT ON THE ECONOMY AND PEOPLE

NAIRA REDESIGN: EFFECT ON THE ECONOMY AND PEOPLE

Tari Ogbowei

0:00 / 0:00

767

Tari Ogbowei

Content Writer and contributor @ TwoCents

Yenagoa, Nigeria

As the 28th of September, 2022, the official date for the start of campaign for the 2023 elections draw nearer, activities have been flying here and there. Candidates are being invited by bodies as well as TV stations all over to discuss their plans for the nation. There are many candidates vying for the most coveted seat in the land but of the lot, three have set themselves apart from the rest. Of the top three, Mr. Peter Obi still seems to be ahead. One may not necessarily want to speak about Peter Obi all the time but he makes it difficult not to. In a positive way, though. He carries this energy and vigour about him which he infuses into the Nigerian political space. It is one that the usually bland and boring political scene lacks and needs as a matter of urgency. His emergence into the scene entrenches the idea of a maturing democracy, moving the populace away from two unpopular choices. It is no longer a two-horse race where Nigerians are clairvoyant, knowing the end from the beginning. Where the power of incumbency is a major factor and takes front row, ensuring the incumbent party will win the election 99% of the time. Since his emergence as the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, he has garnered unbridled popularity and support. This is majorly stemming from the fact that a lot of Nigerians are fed up with the status quo and tired with the institution that the candidates of both the All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar represent. Asides these two (2) candidates of the APC and PDP, there are other candidates but why does Peter Obi stand out. Maybe, it's because he is the most experienced, having served as two term governor of Anambra state. Maybe, its because of his antecedents of frugal management skills, reducing operating cost of governance, ability to save lean resources, create infrastructure and deliver the dividends of democracy to his people. Maybe, it's because he is Christian and Igbo and many people feel it is the turn of a Southern Christian; being that in the South, it is only the Igbos who haven't been given an opportunity at the presidency. It just could be because, of the top three (3) candidates, he is the only one who hasn't had a corruption charge levelled against him. It could be that he is running with a nationalist interest where saving Nigeria comes first. Campaigns haven't officially started but the man is giving off a lot of positive energy. He could be in Sokoto, move over to Imo and then Lagos in one day. Whenever he appears on any platform, he's reeling out figures and statistics of areas that need urgent attention and intervention and asking Nigerians to give him the opportunity to serve and turn things around. He is the only candidate talking about these nether areas, intimating Nigerians of the consequences if left unchecked and assuring Nigerians of his commitment to tackling them. In comaprison BAT's campaign strategy is telling Nigerians that he would continue and consolidate on Buhari's achievements, one wonders on which of Buhari's achievements. The achievements that represent everything that is wrong with Nigeria as a nation? Atiku Abubukar, a serial contestant since 1993 for the office of the President has been silent and largely gone unnoticed save the fact that he's contesting under the main opposition party, the PDP. One begins to wonder if both Mr. Abubakar and the PDP are really serious about 2023 or have a blueprint which they're just waiting for the official campaign date to start executing. While the other candidates are struggling to find their feet, Mr. Obi's popularity has gone viral. In a country where politicians spend so much on campaigns, it is unprecedented that Nigerians are actually using their own funds to campaign for a politician, holding mega rallies and solidarity marches, shutting down streets in support of a candidate. While the question, "Is Peter Obi right for Nigeria" can only be answered if he wins the election, the attitude of Nigerians towards Mr. Peter Obi and the elections is actually right and would go a long way in strengthening our nascent democracy.

In Politics • 3 min read • Sep 02, 2022 22:42p.m.

IS PETER OBI RIGHT FOR NIGERIA

IS PETER OBI RIGHT FOR NIGERIA

Tari Ogbowei

0:00 / 0:00

So I think last year or two years ago, Wendy Williams was hosting her iconic Wendy's moments when she argued if Nicki Minaj should be called a legend or not. In fact, it was posted on different blogs and people were arguing for or against her status, with more people being in favour. I mean, the legendary Tank had to ask why she can't be called one. And if you don't know Tank, I would assume Gen Z and move on. But really, when we say someone is a legend, what metrics or criteria do we use for that measure? Before we delve into that, let us look at the dictionary definition of what or who a legend is. A legend according to Tara McCarty is one who has changed the course of a genre, transformed musical expression and is said to have influence. A great definition and I stand by this. The Oxford dictionary defined it as an "extremely notorious person in any field" and I have a lot of issues with this definition because that means any Femi or Ekaette can be called a legend because they are popular. Let us examine some famous people and why we can confidently call them legends. I think this would show you why I go with Tara's definition. Michael Jackson is known all over the world for the Moonwalk, a very impressive signature move, but also his songs and performances. There is hardly anyone in the dance world now who won't bring up MJ when they want to talk about their inspiration to dance. The likes of Breezy(Chris Brown), P-Square, Ciara and many more name him as a great influence. His albums are still making waves and he is the highest selling artiste in history, dead or alive, selling a billion and more records worldwide and this was the era that streaming and social media weren't dictators. His performances are legendary for the casualties that just cannot handle being in his presence. He is Beyonce's biggest influence when it comes to music and performances. He used his pltform to speak on messages people didn't want to and is even famous for having fans conduct vigils at his hotel rooms whenever he was on tour or in any city. He was so great that he had to have armies as bodyguards when he went to some countries because he was just that great. Trust me, when you say legend, the late Michael Jackson is the very definition. Now let us talk about Cardi B, a stripper and reality star turned rapper who is famous for her shoe throwing, fighting, not writing Raps, gangsterism, WAP and her famous beef with Nicki Minaj, I hope you can see that she is definitely not a legend as your dictionary definition would put it. Being a legend requires influence, longevity, substance, breaking barriers and she clearly is not in that league. Being popular does not make you a legend because anyone can become one(Ice Spice the "munch" lady) For clarification, these are legends Beyonce Jay Z Kanye West James Brown Elvis Presley Eminem Dr Dre MI Sunny Ade Sina Peters FELA Banky W Philip Emeagwali Tuface P-Square Maya Angelou Oprah Winfrey John Hagen Bishop David Oyedepo Bishop E. A. Adeboye And these are not legends but just popular Megan thee Stallion Saweetie Pop Smoke Iggy Azalea Rema Oxlade Blaqbonez So you could argue or not but this is certainly what I think about or who I remember when I think about Legends . Who don't you agree with on this list? 🤣🤣🤣🤣

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Queensley Okon

Information Officer @ Covenant University

Ota, Nigeria

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In Music and Entertainment • 3 min read • Sep 23, 2022 13:42p.m.

I AM LEGEND!!!

I AM LEGEND!!!

Queensley Okon

0:00 / 0:00

373

Hi, it's Queensley, thanks for reading my insights.

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Jefferson Nnadiekwe

Freelance scriptwriter and creative photographer

Lagos, Nigeria

There's a silent threat to contemporary art. And that threat is the conscious effort to infuse identity politics, and force inclusivity into art. This is an effect of the woke mind mentality. Identity politics, include topics such as; gender issues, race issues, sexuality, class segregation, etc. Now do not get me wrong. These are all very important topics, and as such need to be addressed in some form. The problem however is when these issues are forced into art forms, such as movies, books and music; for the purpose of profit or pushing an agenda. It is no secret to creatives that the LGBTQ community for example, is some sort of gold mine for art. The need for members to be represented in media, makes it a community which could be easily exploited. A serious issue with forcing identity politics into art, is that most of the time, the artist isn't really concerned about the interest of the individuals; as much as he is concerned with profit. I was part of a script conference, where the producer asked we (the script writers) to find a way to include sexuality into the topic. Just because in his words 'there is serious money to be made from those guys'. Another problem with forced identity politics in art, is the watered down value of the art. Because there's so much conscious effort to be inclusive, the essence of the art is almost always lost. There is no point to want to highlight race issues in art, if the art is badly thought out. How often have we seen movies on Netflix, that are guilty of this. The subject of the art, may also be neglected, in place of online community wars. Online community wars, are mostly in form of Twitter outrages. For instance, when a movie addressing a form of identity issue is released, it is mostly followed by backlash from members of another community. An example is the black community vs the white community. This wars, relegate the movie to the background. Meaning - the art has been made to suffer. I miss the days when artists made art out of a personal inspiration. When creatives really had something passionate to share. Creative works were a part of the artist, now they have become an avenue to pander to certain communities. I miss the days when art was art.

In Literature, Writing and Blogging • 2 min read • Sep 30, 2022 14:37p.m.

LET ART BE ART

LET ART BE ART

Jefferson Nnadiekwe

0:00 / 0:00

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Hi, it's Jefferson, thanks for reading my insights.

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Tari Ogbowei

Content Writer and contributor @ TwoCents

Yenagoa, Nigeria

It cannot be overstated that the present Nigerian political set up is unprecedented. The run up to the 2023 elections is exciting as well as thrilling. Elections in Nigeria have never been issue based. It has rather been reserved for the strongest and richest candidate, with ethnic sentiments being a major driver. When it's time for elections, political parties and their candidates switch to transaction mood. They don't discuss pertinent issues. They most times don't even have manifestos. They only make promises without a clear cut plan of achieving them, then wait for elections to share money to the populace in exchange for their votes. Money which they acquired from the raping of our collective treasury. This has only succeeded in producing mediocre candidates. Nigeria being a nascent democracy, which just escaped years of draconian and repressive military rule. Nigerians were probably still caught up in the euphoria of the freedom and benefits a democracy promised to begin demanding for the best. There seems to be another factor, but it's more psychological. The generation who actively lived through the military rule probably got used to things being a certain way and accepted it as normal. They gave up their fight and permitted the military autocracy to permeate into our democracy. One can say our democracy is maturing, but in reality it is the older generation phasing out and the newer generation who were born either after military rule or towards the end of military rule who were too young to understand what was happening. They most likely had only read or heard about it. They have seen, read and witnessed how democracy is supposed to be practised and want to enjoy same. It is this demography of people, basically youths who are standing up to say "No! Enough is enough". The run up to the 2015 elections seemed to be the first signs of this maturity. Despite the fact that the Buhari era is actually worse off and in comparison to that of Goodluck Jonathan, makes Jonathan look so good. In all honesty, the Goodluck Jonathan era was just as bad. Corruption and ineptitude was rife, the only difference is that it was not so brazen as it is now, but the government of Goodluck Jonathan was just as bad. Buhari and the APC who were in the opposition then, took advantage of the failings of the Jonathan government and his attendant disenchantment from the populace. They centered their campaign on Jonathan's biggest failing which was corruption and this gave them the support of the people. Nigerians massively voted against Jonathan. For the first time in the history of our democracy, an incumbent president lost an election. Again, they only promised to make the situation better, but never outlined for the people, a clear cut plan to achieve this and fight corruption. The result has been devastating. It was a mistake on our part as a people, but if we don't make mistakes, how do we learn? It seems we've learnt, as Nigerians are no longer satisfied with just promises, but are now demanding our presidential candidates to give us a road map to achieving their El Dorado in Nigeria. Our mistakes have made us wiser! Political maturity is beginning to grow roots.

In Politics • 3 min read • Oct 29, 2022 07:52a.m.

MISTAKES HAVE MADE US WISER, MORE POLITICALLY MATURE

MISTAKES HAVE MADE US WISER, MORE POLITICALLY M...

Tari Ogbowei

0:00 / 0:00

I recently stumbled upon an intriguing article on Quora, titled "Does Cancer Have An Odor?" If you know Quora, you know it’s a site where folks from all walks of life, as well as all over the world share their personal experiences and ask questions about any and everything. I won’t lie, people ask the weirdest questions there sha. I’m sure if you try searching; you can find a “how to defraud people” or even “how to get away with murder” question there. Hehe! Loved the show, by the way! Anyway, beneath that particular heading, a user shared a poignant account. He recounted how, during a trip with his mother and her close friend, he rested on his mother's friend's lap feeling tired and immediately detected a pungent, sickly aroma so potent it left him feeling sick. According to this narrator, within a month of this encounter, his mom's friend received a devastating diagnosis and eventually succumbed to I think, liver cancer or so.This article stirred a memory of one of my mom’s friends, who tragically passed away from cancer many years ago. I was young, still in secondary school yet I recall visiting her with my mother and younger brother, and when I embraced her, I noticed a faint yet unmistakable odor. I don't recall the exact timeframe between that encounter and her diagnosis, but that visit was the last time I saw her in good health, as she was diagnosed with cancer months or even a year later; and eventually passed away. The next time my mother took me to visit her friend just before her passing, i noticed that strange scent again, and this time its intensity was greater. And that last visit was equally the last time I saw my mom’s friend alive. So when I happened upon that Quora discussion, I was inevitably reminded of my own experience, and I couldn't help but wonder at the possibility that this peculiar odor was, in fact, a harbinger of her illness, much like the numerous individuals who shared their own anecdotes in the Quora thread, suggesting a potential connection between unusual body odors and underlying health issues.It’s just the weirdest thing. Perceiving a strange odor on someone else, only to find out the person has a life-threatening illness that eventually kills them.It’s the way I’ve also heard dogs and cats can detect sickness in humans through smell, as well. Dogs, in particular, who we all know possess an incredibly keen sense of smell, which enables some to be trained to predict and respond to seizures in people with epilepsy and other conditions. I don’t even think the capabilities in human and animals overall sense of smell is fully understood. I think it’s still somewhat a mystery. I thankfully haven’t had anything similar happen since then, or experienced many personal losses, but we were all deeply fond of my mother’s friend. She was in her forties, unmarried and didn’t have kids, this much I recollect. I also recall her to be a really soft spoken, kind woman and as much as that article made me sad to think about her, I’m happy I thought about her at all.I sincerely hope her soul continues to rest in eternal peace, and that her family experiences more healing and comfort over her memory, as the years go by. I extend the prayer for that healing and comfort to anyone afflicted with this mystifying disease, as well as families who have lost loved ones to this perplexing ailment to which a permanent cure remains elusive. It is well, but the thought of ever smelling sickness on another human long before a diagnosis confirms said illness, is something I pray never to experience again.

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Belinda Chiazor

Writer and Filmmaker @ Middle Girl Productions

Lagos, Nigeria

507

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In Health • 3 min read • Sep 08, 2024 17:52p.m.

Detecting Illness Through Smell

Detecting Illness Through Smell

Belinda Chiazor

0:00 / 0:00

Emetekefe Akpovwovwo

smell illness

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"Air is the element of freedom. The Air Nomads detached themselves from worldly concerns and found peace and freedom." Imagine a world where buildings breathe in harmony with the wind, where structures seem to defy gravity, reaching for the boundless sky. This is the world of the Air Nomads in Avatar: The Last Air Bender, a civilization where architecture transcends mere function and becomes a testament to their core air bending values. Unlike the imposing fortresses of the Earth Kingdom or the aggressive flames embodied in the Fire Nation's structures, the Air Temples are a different narrative altogether. Crafted from wood and bamboo, these mountaintop havens celebrate openness, sustainability, and a profound connection with nature. They are a physical manifestation of the Air Nomads' moral compass and emphasis on peace and harmony. Throughout history, societies have left their mark on the world not just through their actions and ideals, but also through the physical structures they have built. Architecture serves as a fascinating window into a civilization's soul, reflecting their values, priorities, and relationship with the world around them. The grandeur of a palace might speak of a society that prizes hierarchy and power, while the sturdiness of a fortress could signify a focus on security and defence. In the same way, the design choices of the Air Nomads – from the selection of materials to the placement of the temples themselves – offer a profound insight into their core principles. In the Avatar: The Last Air Bender series, we are introduced to four Nations comprising individuals who can manipulate one of the fundamental elements each; The elements are water, Fire, Earth and Air. These Four nations each move through different political states and have varying levels of industrialisation and development, but everything in their respective borders is shaped by the element of the nation and the values they are most predisposed to as a result. The air nomads are a people of peace and spirituality; they have detached themselves from worldly concerns and are focused on living in harmony with the natural world. This way of life is expressed in all of their dwelling places across the Northern, Eastern Southern, and Western Air Temples; Towering and awesome structures weave their way into the clouds along and atop the sides of Mountains detached from the world below.  Values Reflected in Architecture Having a closer look at the architecture, we can observe the way it shapes and is in turn shaped by the principles of its oft-wandering inhabitants. In the Air temples, the walls of the expansive chambers are adorned with murals telling stories and teachings of air bending and philosophy; Sunlight streams through large windows, illuminating the polished wood floors and casting dancing shadows on the intricately woven tapestries. Gone are the heavy stone walls and imposing gates found in other nations; instead, light wooden pillars rise towards the sky, supporting multi-tiered roofs that seem, although tethered to the mountain, to yearn for the heavens; the first prevalent values are openness and Flow. The Large rooms have shared spaces and a minimal presence of walls. This openness is not merely aesthetic; it reflects the Air Nomads' commitment to peace and non-violence. The absence of confined spaces discourages feelings of aggression, and selfishness fostering a sense of freedom, togetherness and tranquility that mirrors the flow of the element they bend.The second Main tenet of the people of the Air Nation is a harmonious existence with nature. To achieve this harmony they meditate spiritually every day, connecting with the state of the physical world and the spirit realm; Meditation chambers, small and secluded nooks, provide solace for quiet reflection, a cornerstone of the Air Nomad way of life. Beyond the main temples, specialised structures support the other daily activities. Training grounds with obstacle courses and platforms facilitate the development of physical air-bending skills while also promoting mental discipline and respect for the power they are entrusted with. These training grounds are often open-air spaces, reinforcing the connection with nature and fostering a sense of freedom during practice. Air benders, like air, move unencumbered, and freely through all obstacles even with a firm discipline. Their spaces are attuned to this. Because of the desire to be one with Nature, the permanent and more temporary structures are all made with sustainable materials and are built into the readily available terrain. Training grounds sprawl across the mountainside, not as imposing battlefields, but as obstacle courses crafted from natural materials. Platforms for training turned playgrounds, and ramps for glider launches seem to merge seamlessly with the environment jutting out from the mountainside. Everything not carved from the cold steadfast mountains is built from warm wood and resilient bamboo; materials readily available and minimally processed at the expense of the local ecology. Renewable materials and their construction techniques, likely relying on traditional carpentry and joinery methods, demonstrate a profound understanding of working with, not against, the environment.Influences From the Real WorldThe Air Temples draw heavily from real-world architectural traditions, particularly those of East Asia. The towering pagodas with their multi-tiered roofs strongly resemble structures found in China and Japan. These pagodas served as religious and educational centres, mirroring the dual purpose of the Air Temples as both monasteries and training grounds for Air Nomads. Another influence is the concept of Tibetan sky monasteries, built on precarious mountain cliffs. This reflects the Air Nomads' preference for high altitudes, allowing them to live in harmony with the element they bend and practice their aerial techniques. The monasteries' dependence on natural elements for light and ventilation also resonates with the Air Nomads' philosophy of living in balance with nature. The Air Temples transcend mere structures; they are a testament to the enduring power of morality to shape the physical world. By understanding how the Air Nomads' values are woven into the very fabric of their architecture, we can gain valuable insights into how design choices can promote a more peaceful and sustainable future. Bridging Worlds: From Fantasy to Reality This essay serves as the first chapter in a series exploring the architectural expression of values in the Four Nations of Avatar: The Last Air bender. Each nation, defined by its element, embodies distinct morals. By delving into the architecture of the Air Nomads, Earth Kingdom , Fire Nation, and Water Tribes, we can gain valuable in sights into the relationship between a society's values and the physical world they create. Furthermore, by examining real-world influences on the sefictional structures, we can bridge the gap between fantasy and reality, prompting reflection on how our own built environment reflects and shapes our values. Stay tuned for the next chapter, where we'll explore the Earth Kingdom and how its architecture reflects their emphasis on stability, resilience, and connection to the ground.

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Hi, it's Belinda, thanks for reading my insights.

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Joshua Omoijiade

Senior Designer @ Studio Contra

Lagos, Nigeria

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In Design • 4 min read • Mar 17, 2024 20:23p.m.

The Architecture of Grounded Freedom

The Architecture of Grounded Freedom

Joshua Omoijiade

0:00 / 0:00

architecture avatar design

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Hi, it's Joshua, thanks for reading my insights.

My broad range of interests include art, design, philosophy and writing about where they might intersect. Find out more here: https://www.linkedin.com/mw...

Samuel Ibok

Marketing Supervisor @ Crusader Sterling Pensions Limited

Lagos, Nigeria

They say the apple does not fall far from the tree, but I was the exception, or I was supposed to be. I grew up hating my parents, who died when I was only 4. They were known by many to be ruthless and fierce. They tried to shield me from that, but I guess I wasn't too young to see the patterns. When they passed, my grandparents took me in and kept me far from my parents' legacy. I hawked and hustled hard, like every kid who grew up on the rough streets of Lagos. I graduated with good grades, despite my side hustles. I became famous in my area because I was considered a smart kid. I remember how my neighbours used to call me genius, and even the strong men in my area tagged me Sabi Pikin, and I wasn't to be harmed by any rival group. I landed a job at a marketing firm, and I was certain I would make magic. A few months into the job, I received four offers from three top-tier universities in the UK to study my dream course. I was overwhelmed, and for the first time in my life, I felt like things started to fall into place.  I had planned to resign at the end of a particular project at work so I could focus on doubling my hustle and raising funds to pay my deposit and secure my admission. I resumed work the week before my notice period ended and heard that some company items were missing. Now I wasn't very worried because I thought I wouldn't be questioned because I wasn't in charge of the items, but I was in that department. The following day, some policemen showed up at work and started questioning people. Normally me and Olopa no get business but I had to just respond to questions to fulfil all righteousness. Before I knew it, I was told that I would be taken to the station for further questioning. I dragged out the issue, stating boldly that I am innocent. I told my boss that I could not go to the station because of my Japa plans, but he bluntly told me that I was a key suspect. He said that it's possible that I sold the items to fund my visa application; besides, the son of a thief is also a thief.  He basically made me the chief suspect over an issue I had no idea about.  The police made things worse by using my parents' legacy to taunt me. My old grandparents pleaded on my behalf, but to no avail. The streets heard of my plight and raised money to bail me out, but I was thrown into prison without being found guilty of any crime. I wept for days, and my entire life flashed before me. The deadline for my deposit payment had passed, and I had given up on my plans. Three days before my release, I met an old colleague of my dad who told me about my dad and the reason he became the man he was before he died. My dad was betrayed by the government and used as a scapegoat. He resorted to violence as a means of survival. I vowed that day to cause pain to all those who stole my future from me. I was baptised fully with the street OT, and I guess my destiny changed. I became omó èsan- the son of vengeance. When I went home, everyone who saw me knew I had changed. The strong men in my hood stepped back and said I had finally embraced my destiny. My grandparents wept for me because I became the very thing they spent their remaining year protecting me from.  I went to my former boss's favourite chilling spot and gave him a surprise smile! He couldn't even recognise me. I was buff, and my hoody kept me a mystery. I called him "Final Boss," a name no one else but me called him at work. He was shocked to see me in the flesh. The scars on my face must have scared him, but that was only the beginning. He stood there looking at me in fear, and I reminded him of the time he stole from me. He called me Ayo and tried to apologize, but it was too late. I had already embraced my destiny. He didn't bother to release me even when they had found the actual thief. I told him today wasn't his day, but I would take from him more than he took from me. I looked him in the eye and told him I am Ésan, the son of vengeance. I walked away knowing that he would lose his sleep and fellowship with his worries. That made me happy because he would have a taste of what prison felt like. I noticed he had upgraded his security detail, and word got out that he was going to leave the country with his family for security reasons. He handed over his company to his younger brother to run. He who knows the street will not run aimlessly. I waited patiently for him to think he would finally be free. His flight was at 8 p.m., and I knew fear would make him lodge close to the airport. I followed him to the hotel and planted one of my ladies there. They say something must kill a man, right? Well, his Akilis Hill was a fair, curvy woman. He tried his luck with the lady, and she played along. He sent his guard to pay for another room, and that was our opportunity. We snatched him, drugged him, and placed him in a wheel chair. We rolled him out carefully and took him to where his story would end. He woke up tied up and in shock. He screamed for help, and he kept weeping. I told him that the sins of the father would be met by the son and that my vengeance would fall on his entire family. He kept begging for mercy—the very thing he didn't give me. I leaked the news of his kidnapping to Tunde Ednut, and it was trending on Twitter. My guys started a live video on Twitter, and I made him confess to the entire world. I asked the viewers to judge him based on a poll, and the majority asked for his death. But I knew that constant fear was worse than death.  Over 4 million people had joined the live video, and the hashtag "ésan" was trending. I did the unexpected. I dropped his location on the live feed and walked away with my crew. The authorities arrived on the scene after we had left. The location was flooded with an angry mob that connected my boss to their problems. My story became a source of strength for other young people, and in a matter of weeks, the entire nation was in chaos. People took to the streets to demand their rights and the removal of corrupt officials. Strong men assembled under one umbrella with the goal of fighting the oppressors. The international community predicted an impending collapse in my nation because of the state of affairs. Many built statues for me and wrote songs about me. Those in the other camp felt my methods were too extreme and unlawful.  The government is still looking for me, and they think I am on the run. They have no idea that I am no longer a person but an idea, a force, and a philosophy.  I am my father's son, Ésan—the son of vengeance. To be continued......

In Literature, Writing and Blogging • 5 min read • Apr 23, 2023 22:20p.m.

OMÓ ÉSAN

OMÓ ÉSAN

Samuel Ibok

0:00 / 0:00

Cyrus Majebi

Queensley Okon

Esther Omemu

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Comments

Anita Koske

Paris • 10 months, 1 week ago

Wow, I'm amazed and this piece got me googling to do some fact checking, and ended up in the DM. This is great storytelling!

Hi, it's Samuel, thanks for reading my insights.

I'm a Creative Writer and Poet on a mission to Tell Stories That Torch! You can find some of my works below https://www.instagram.com/p...

Samuel Ibok

Marketing Supervisor @ Crusader Sterling Pensions Limited

Lagos, Nigeria

I'm a fitness enthusiast, but I tend to walk away from conversations where "calories" are overemphasized. I get the idea behind calories and the need to enlighten people, but can we tone down on the technicalities? People just want to feel good after a workout rather than get hooked on the mathematics of calorie counting. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of people finally chose health. Even my parents started exercising! It dawned on people that life truly is transient. Here's the crazy part: there are too many people out there with the title of fitness coach who just mislead people. I know a lady who shared that her so-called coach was basically body-shaming her. According to her, she lost confidence, and she felt like there was no need to continue exercising. I told her fitness is a journey, and we must understand that regular people cannot reach the heights reached by professional athletes. Don't let edited pictures fool you. It's all about the right angles and having a good camera!  I think we should define our fitness goals intentionally and carefully so as not to give ourselves room for self-harm in the event that we don't meet the target. There was a time I could jog daily for 3 months straight, but I can't even think of that now because I am already stuck in traffic by 5:30 a.m. and I get home drained. You won't die if you don't have a six-pack, and you will still live happily ever after with your bae even if you don't have a slim waistline or figure 8. Hey ladies, y'all are 10/10!  The fitness industry is a billion-dollar industry, and they're great at creating narratives. Your coach is hustling oo. Don't go and kill yourself. I am the last person to stick to a specific meal plan. It doesn't mean I am not disciplined; it only reflects the perception I have about fitness. Besides, following a meal plan is only part of the fitness equation. There's still the part about resting properly and genetics. Some people have a natural advantage, and that's just a fact. Please know this and have peace. For me, do what you can, even if it's only at home. You can get fit at home. I'm not against going to the fitness centre. But at this point, I would rather use the subscription money for food! I'm not even joking. Freedom sometimes stems from information. Do what is within your means, and seek knowledge about fitness. Don't injure yourself in a bid to attain a physique you can't afford to maintain. In other words, no go do pass yourself. Abi you want to win Mr Olympia? To all the calorie warriors out there, remember that you only have one body for a lifetime. Be careful how you mould it. Try to live a healthy and balanced life. Finally, be wise! My biological brother, @theprowellnesscoach on Instagram, is a nutritionist and wellness coach. I'm sure he'll smile when he reads this. #YourBodyYourChoice #FitFam

In Fitness and Body Building • 3 min read • Mar 09, 2024 18:12p.m.

"CALORIE WARRIORS"

"CALORIE WARRIORS"

Samuel Ibok

0:00 / 0:00

Cyrus Majebi

Queensley Okon

Anita Koske

wellness fitness gyming calories

If you like my insights, you can encourage me by sending a TIP. Thank you!

244

Hi, it's Samuel, thanks for reading my insights.

I'm a Creative Writer and Poet on a mission to Tell Stories That Torch! You can find some of my works below https://www.instagram.com/p...

Jefferson Nnadiekwe

Freelance scriptwriter and creative photographer

Lagos, Nigeria

Quick question - that brand of phone or fashion item you recently acquired, can you beat your chest and say it was out of your uninfluenced free will you made that choice? Wait! Please read the whole thing before you give your answer.  Mind control is real. As a matter of fact mass mind control has been in existence for a long time and we are well and truly under its influence. It is after all the greatest weapon in the arsenal of consumerism. I guess we've seen this a couple of times in a movie, perhaps in one or two books. Yet, we brushed it aside, because; fiction right? While movies like "Sorry to Bother You", "Parasite" and "Fight club", might be unsettling. The real life effects of consumerism is much more disturbing. Corporations are always thinking about how to influence consumer behavior and reaction inorder to get them to buy their stuff. One of the most effective methods, is through conditioning - mind control if you please. Gently ushering the minds of the consumers towards a particular 'need', which in most cases have nothing to do with the actual product they manufacture. For example, why is an iPhone associated with a high social class and elitism, when most of its features are available on other phones. Can anyone tell me a basic smartphone feature present in an iPhone which is lacking in let's say a Samsung? (I genuinely want to know). Through years of careful and purposeful advertisement and campaigns, Apple has been able to condition its customers to associate the brand with class, even though there is no concrete proof of this. It is why millions of people do whatever they can to get an iPhone - it's really not about the phone but the desire to be counted among the elites and separate themselves from the poor masses who Android phones are created for. Same also applies in several other industries like skin care. A lot of people who delve into skin care and the ridiculous purchase of over priced skin care products do so not from the advice of a dermatologist, but from the need to 'glow' and possess a skin testament to their 'good living'. Same can be said of fashion, real estate etc. If you think about it, a lot of these 'upgrades' and lifestyle only start after exposure to the capitalist conditioning. The most effective way to manipulate a human being into doing what you want, is to make him believe that is what he wants. Capitalism knows that and you can't even hate the corporations who use this technique because it's so simple yet brilliant. Some people call it brilliant advertising, but it's just mind control - same tricks mentalists use. Consumerism extends its tentacles and latches on to your mind, from where it is able to covertly influence your decisions while keeping the mirage that you are in charge.  Are there side effects to the excesses of consumerism? Definitely. I will give you one - the rise in non biodegradable waste as a result in the increase in fast fashion. There are also side effects that affects us as humans, and one of them is the constant feeling of emptiness and pursuit of the new trend. We now judge quality of life strictly by the capability to keep up with the next consumer obsession - hence we become exhibitionists and performative beings. Because companies have to the main goal of selling, they have to keep making you feel like what you have isn't good enough. A new iPhone is released and suddenly, you feel the need to upgrade because of the ever so subtle nudge to do so by the manufacturers. The worse part is that you can never fully upgrade as there will always be that one new thing.

In People and Society • 3 min read • May 08, 2024 09:39a.m.

UNDER THE INFLUENCE

UNDER THE INFLUENCE

Jefferson Nnadiekwe

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Comments

Omoladun

Hiya. Funny thing this was my research topic for my undergraduate degree but my focus was in relation to personality types. This piece is...

6 months, 1 week ago

Hi, it's Jefferson, thanks for reading my insights.

I'm a creative screenwriter, photographer, cinematographer and creative director. You can check out some of my works here https://instagram.com/themi...

Asiogu Ugochukwu

Global Security enthusiast

Most times I do ask myself how Nigerians, including myself would have coped without okrika? How would have the common man in Nigeria managed to cover his nakedness if peradventure there were no Okrika clothes, belts, shoes, caps, hats amongst other wears. Of course, the result would have been uninteresting and on the other hand ridiculous as we probably would have had situations where people normalise walking through the streets, roads and markets naked and bare footed. Okrika is a term that refers to 'used' or 'second-hand' clothes in Nigeria. As a term, 'okrika' is derived from a small port town in Rivers State known as Okrika where all second-hand clothes were shipped to and sold to the locals. Interestingly, the origin of okrika clothes in Nigeria can be traced to the 1950s, when Okrika was the only port through which clothes (used) were shipped down to Nigeria from Europe. During this time, okrika clothes were said to be in high demand based on the fact that locally manufactured clothes in Nigeria were not only ery expensive for people to purchase but also were allegedly lacked durability. One thing about Okrika wears is that they are not selective and thus, are attractive to both the rich and poor. However, despite the fact that often times, it is believed that okrika clothes are meant for the poor, needy and those without sophistication and class, the "sought -after" commodity also receives a greater number of patronage from the rich. In Nigeria, okrika business is done by men and women, young and old. It usually comes in different grades namely: grade one (comprising very clean and durable used clothes) and last grade (comprising leftover clothes that do not look appealing to buyers). It is a very competitive and profitable business that helps people to gain easy access to clothings. Today, okrika clothes and wearables can be found in all parts of the country both rural and and urban and in these diverse areas, it is known by different names and for different things. For instance, while it is known as "bend down select" in some parts of the country, it is equally known as "bo si corner" "Belgium" "Tokumba"amongst others. These names are ascribed to okrika clothes in Nigeria based on the fact that first, :most sellers display their clothes on the ground and in a bid to take a close look at them, buyers bend down to select their choice of clothes amongst others and second, a greater number of customers are very ashamed to put on the clothes on the open to avoid been seen by the public. Instead, they prefer going through the corners so that no one would seen them.  Overall, it is important to say that inasmuch as Nigerians enjoy the usage of these clothings, it is rather unfortunate that they patronize it more than the local fabrics and clothings made in Nigeria.  Could this still be part of the consequences of  colonialism on  African minds or is just an aberration of a distracted or dislodged human thoughts buried in confusion and hopelessness?  It better be one or both of these options otherwise I do not see any justifiable reason why Nigerians should be happy and fulfilled wearing and firmly patronisimg  'used' and most times 'worn out' clothes imported from  far away United Kingdom, United States amongst other European countries! But wait a minute, who did this to us?

In History and Culture • 3 min read • Dec 30, 2022 00:14a.m.

OKRIKA HAS BEEN SAVING LIVES SINCE THE 1950s

OKRIKA HAS BEEN SAVING LIVES SINCE THE 1950s

Asiogu Ugochukwu

0:00 / 0:00

425

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Mwambo Kate

Yaoundé • 1 year, 10 months ago

Woah! I had no idea of the origin of the name till now. We Call it Okrika in Cameroon too.

Jefferson Nnadiekwe

Freelance scriptwriter and creative photographer

Lagos, Nigeria

How do you react when someone  has an entirely different opinion to yours? I ask this because I've observed that some of us cannot separate an individual's opinions from the person. What I mean by this is that, the moment there is a clash of opinions, we are often fond of disrespecting or getting unfriendly towards each other. Take as an example, an online political discussion. How quickly that degenerates into a heated argument where words are exchanged and tempers are flared. Such disagreements, usually on Twitter tend to take an ugly turn. Sometimes, I come across posts on Twitter, or other social media platforms, where a celebrity declares his/her support for a certain political candidate. It's usually not the popular choice. And as a consequence, said celebrity is subjected to a barrage of insults from the public. Their personal lives and careers undergo scrutiny and denigration. All because their opinion differs from the popular one. Truth is, we live in an era where people hardly have differences in opinion, while maintaining respect or civility. Even though, as humans, we are all entitled to have different beliefs, ideology and opinions. As far as they do not impede on the right of others. Having this in mind, it is necessary to learn how to disagree in a civil manner. Contrary to the new normal, it's possible to say 'I do not agree with you', without severing a relationship or getting abusive and aggressive. Disagreement doesn't always need to feel like war, where the purpose is to hurt others. It would be refreshing, if we change our approach on how we handle conflict of opinions.

In People and Society • 2 min read • Nov 08, 2022 10:55a.m.

How do you react when someone has an entirely different opinion to yours?

How do you react when someone has an entirely d...

Jefferson Nnadiekwe

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Hi, it's Jefferson, thanks for reading my insights.

I'm a creative screenwriter, photographer, cinematographer and creative director. You can check out some of my works here https://instagram.com/themi...

Jefferson Nnadiekwe

Freelance scriptwriter and creative photographer

Lagos, Nigeria

There is a gender war going on, and I believe by now everyone is aware of this. To those however who are not aware, a trip to social media is more than sufficient to convince you. Hardly a day goes by on the social media space, without encountering posts pitting the male vs female genders against one another. Believe me, it is annoying. Soldiers one both sides argue against the privileges of the other side, while refusing to accept their own privileges. Truth is both genders have their privileges and their drawbacks. The question is what is stopping us from acknowledging this? My answer is apathy. Apathy is basically the lack of sympathy towards from one person or group, towards another. It is the lack of concern or interest to things or people around you. In the gender war, this is the biggest dividing force. When one party refuses to acknowledge the concerns of another, we do nothing to alleviate it. There by, increasing the strain in relationship between both parties. With apathy, a man who complains about the societal pressures to provide, is countered by a woman who complains about the pressures of keeping the home. No one genuinely listens to the other, rather it devolves into an argument of "who suffer pass". No one looks to see how they can help ease the grievances or pressures on the other. It is rather a 'carry your cross' affair. Take a look at posts on apps like Twitter or Instagram, highlighting a particular gender's challenges. Such posts are turned quickly into a battle ground for the male vs female war. The truth is, you cannot expect sympathy from others, if you do not also show sympathy. Perhaps if there is a measure of empathy between both parties, we would edge closer to a ceasefire in this obnoxious gender war. Empathy allows us to feel for others, to sympathize with them. The need for empathy in our society, cannot be over emphasized. The ability to put the feelings of others into consideration, makes for a better relationship. Men, as well as women, should know this. Listen genuinely to the grievances of the other party, respect their feelings; this leads to yours being respected as well. I hope we realize and accept this soon, because I am sure we are all exhausted with the numerous daily battles between genders, across social media.

In Relationships • 2 min read • Jun 08, 2022 20:23p.m.

APATHY: THE MOST POTENT FUEL IN THE OBNOXIOUS GENDER WAR

APATHY: THE MOST POTENT FUEL IN THE OBNOXIOUS G...

Jefferson Nnadiekwe

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