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Tag: Culture

  • Hustle culture: The deadliest virus – By Bakare Ayomide

    Hustle culture: The deadliest virus – By Bakare Ayomide

    By Bakare Ayomide

    The term “hustle” is a norm in today’s society. It serves as a means to survive and thrive, in spite of the devastating economy, with people trying to provide whilst sacrificing their dreams, their pride, and their social time to make a dime. This demeaning lifestyle has pulled the drive of the youths to not aspire for what they desire, but rather veer towards becoming a mogul of a societal compelled empire, as such this deadly virus has made its victims of this virus lose touch of their true self in pursuit of the society’s unhealthy view of success.

    Hustle culture, in its simplest term, is seen as centred on hard work for a long period of time and sacrificing one’s social life and self-care in order to succeed. It is mostly spread through social media: “Young people are millionaires,” “money can get you power and recognition,” “it is the only way one can be happier and more comfortable,” “it is completely worth it.”

    Social media has found a way to make hustle the only medication for life’s issues. On social media apps such as TikTok and YouTube, there are over a million searches on “side hustle,” and most of the content created does not teach one to make money but remains another form of hustle, creating a vicious cycle. But how did this cycle really begin?

    Using Nigerian homes as a primary example, the family is the first agent of socialisation and the place where the cycle of hustle culture is bred. It is a fact that most Nigerian parents compare their children to other children, and it is for this reason that as they begin to socialise among classmates and friends, comparison begins.

    Comparison enters their minds, and it becomes a pacemaker, a sort of symbiotic drug that constantly takes more than it gives. It is from that stage that they become insecure individuals whose only form of reward was through gifts for being the smartest, the neatest, and the absolute best, up until their workplace, where rewards are given to the ones who work the hardest. The individuals aware of this cycle create a hustle to benefit from it, and the ones who are unaware are unfortunately left prioritising long hours for their success.

    There must be a curiousity that lingers; perhaps one might wonder, “How does working hard not breed success?” It is an excellent question, and the truth is one must work hard to become successful but not to the point it becomes an upmost priority to the person’s health. It is known that “health is wealth.” Therefore, when a person gains money but loses their health, surely that person becomes a vacuum for their own money. Yet hustle culture heavily chains down an individual’s mind, causing guilt, shame, and anxiety because there is an overwhelming sense of unfulfillment that weakens the identity of that individual.

    For example, young people who are unemployed or receiving a small amount of pocket money feel an overwhelming obligation to improve themselves. There’s an impatience and a constant feeling that they are wasting time when they have not discovered their own identities. Family and friends have now become unimportant, and success is the greatest milestone. It also allows for toxic positivity—the act of remaining positive no matter how dire a situation might become.

    Moreover, hustle culture significantly drains an individual physically; the list begins with fatigue and insomnia, leading to high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, and tension headaches, and continues until there is nothing left to give to the hustle.

    If we look at Nigeria today, the youths have become apathetic towards political activity and their education since what matters most is to become successful because success breeds respect, respect breeds power, and power is everything. It’s a vicious cycle, to be sure!

    The question that remains is: how must one avoid hustle culture? After all, it is a deadly virus. The most important thing a person can do is define their version of success. Society has defined too many versions of success in different aspects of an individual’s life. There must be something more important to you than putting in a huge amount of time working hard.

    Another solution is to set boundaries. “One must work hard,” which is true, but there is an allocated time for everything. Create a working schedule that does not completely ruin the way you behave towards others; be ready to say “no” to particular things that feel like obligations; and work at the time you know you can put in the most.

    There is also an option to rest. Create time to reset; it is the only way one can perform at their best. Burning out will only lead to the sacrifices being made going nowhere.An individual should also be ready to ask for help; besides, it is taught that one should not bite off more than they can chew. Asking for help goes a long way against taking on several responsibilities that will, in the end, leave one incredibly stressed.

    Finally, focus on your priorities. When priorities are defined, one will find themselves achieving most of their goals in an easier and healthier manner. It allows one to make proper time for multiple tasks they hope to complete without getting burned out.

    Ultimately, hustle culture is a black hole; it viciously takes everything that comes next to it until there is nothing but mental, social, and health issues. It takes away one’s identity and replaces it with success, which remains cancerous to the world in the end. One must remember that “Rome was not built in a day.” Success requires patience, and there is no hustle that comes with patience.

    Making proper decisions about how one may impact others and knowing that there was something other than success experienced allows an individual to become their entire selves. No matter the situation, do not give into hustle culture. By prioritising self-care and being healthy, success can become attainable.

  • 60 hearty cheers to Jahman Anikulapo, ‘Nigeria’s Culture Ambassador’ – By Ehi Braimah

    60 hearty cheers to Jahman Anikulapo, ‘Nigeria’s Culture Ambassador’ – By Ehi Braimah

    By Ehi Braimah

    When you clock 60 years just like Jahman Oladejo Anikulapo, actor, art connoisseur, culture activist, journalist and man-of-the-people, it calls for celebration and thanksgiving. It’s Jahman’s Diamond Jubilee and you know what, 60 years looks so good on him and he is wearing it graciously – like his trademark “Adire” outfits, reminding one of his stage production costumes.

    The COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc, claiming over six million lives globally since 2020. Clocking 60 years is therefore a rare gift and every day that we live is a bonus. Nigeria’s current life expectancy is 55.75 years, up from 53 years in 2020, according to World Bank data.

    Under the mentorship of late Prof Dapo Adelugba (1939 – 2014), theatre critic and playwright at the University of Ibadan, where he was director of the university’s theatre troupe, Jahman was encouraged to write reviews of plays and films regularly which clearly influenced his career as a journalist.

    Jahman always knew what he wanted to be right from his undergraduate days at the University of Ibadan: an advocate for the art and culture community and defender of the public interest. It was his own way of expressing himself and achieving a higher purpose in life.

    The intersection of art and society fascinates Jahman during panel discussions. It is why he uses his prodigious intellect to explore diverse art and culture themes for robust engagements. For example, music and visual arts have enabled a thriving cultural diplomacy across borders for the creative industry with bountiful harvests.

    But on the flip side of the same coin, Jahman wants practitioners in the art and culture sector to be the voices of the oppressed people, fighting for their rights and insisting on a better society where the government is held accountable. Is Jahman a rebel with a cause?

    Through writing, television appearances, seminars, conferences and festivals, our “birthday boy” continues to communicate the values of a decent society in the midst of contrived chaos around us.

    Going into the general election season, Jahman is clearly not impressed with our political leaders and their shenanigans. He believes strongly that nothing will change because politicians are selfish people who have only one goal in mind: Primitive accumulation of wealth.

    In speaking truth to power, Jahman is always fearless in much the same way as his mentor, Prof Wole Soyinka. Jahman has shared an enduring relationship with the Nobel Laureate over many seasons. Like Prof Soyinka, he cannot stand people who are not true to their convictions.

    Jahman also expresses himself fully in directing, dramatic theories and literary criticisms. Having bagged a degree in Theatre Arts, this should not come as a surprise. He has performed in several plays and acted in Tade Ogidan’s film, ‘Hostages’.

    He could easily have continued on that path as an actor but he opted to be a journalist after his encounter with another mentor, Ben Tomoloju, who had moved from The Punch to The Guardian and established the only Arts Desk of any newspaper in Nigeria at the time.

    That was how our “birthday boy” joined The Guardian as a news reporter, rising through the ranks to become Art Editor, Deputy Editor and Editor of The Guardian on Sunday at Rutam House. Jahman spent close to 29 years at The Guardian before retiring in January 2013 when he was 50 years old. His birthday is January 16.

    Since then, Jahman has been promoting and directing art and culture events with a busy schedule. If he is not directing a shoot or screening a film, you can be sure he is at a panel discussion or anchoring a programme.

    Whether it is the Culture Advocates Caucus where he has been programme director since 2009 or the Committee for Relevant Art (CORA) which he chairs or the Lagos Book and Art Festival (LABAF) which he founded in 1999, Jahman is permanently in work mode. He also finds time to teach young European students media arts and culture.

    His combined roles in culture advocacy groups cut across literature, film, theatre, visual arts and music, and he uses every opportunity to promote cultural diversity. Over the years, Jahman drew artistic inspiration from a distinguished list of academics, scholars and theatre practitioners who are fond of him. They include Prof Femi Osofisan, Prof Toyin Falola, Prof Duro Oni, Prof Tunde Babawale, Benson Idonije, Odia Ofeimun, Taiwo Ajayi-Lycett and Newton Jibunoh.

    Jahman’s role as a mentor is widely acknowledged and his mentees are forever grateful to him. “Jahman Anikulapo is a great man who sees greatness in people, and then goes out of his way to ensure that his mentees achieve their goals,” says Armsfree Ajanaku, Programmes and Communications Manager, Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education and journalist who also worked at The Guardian with Jahman.

    “He is an energetic mentor,” Armsfree adds. Jahman gave Armsfree the opportunity to cut his teeth in journalism as an undergraduate. Award-winning investigative reporter, Fisayo Soyombo, tells the same story, praising Jahman for his excellent mentorship.

    Andrew Iro Okungbowa, who also worked at The Guardian, says Jahman is highly regarded because of his immense contribution to art and culture journalism.

    “He is well connected, yet he is humble and shy from claiming the podium,” Okungbowa, Tourism and Travel Editor of the New Telegraph, says in admiration of the birthday celebrant.

    In Jahman’s art and culture corner, you will also find contemporaries such as Toyin Akinosho, his long-time friend who is a geologist, journalist and publisher of Africa Oil & Gas Report; Femi Odugbemi, writer, filmmaker and television producer; Dr Shaibu Husseini, journalist, culture administrator and film curator; Dr Yinka Oyegbile, journalist, academic and author; Dr Wale Okediran, medical doctor, author and Secretary General, Pan African Writers Association (PAWA) and so on.

    I have known Jahman for close to three decades and we relate as brothers. He is reliable and dependable with unimpeachable integrity.

    When I wanted to float ‘Naija Times’, our online newspaper in 2020, I contacted Jahman and dragged him out of his self-imposed “retirement” from journalism. Once Jahman agrees to work on a project, his commitment is unassailable. I can attest to his humility, hard work and resourcefulness.

    Although lashing out at sloppy reporters is a way of life for Jahman, he also cares for their well-being because he believes in the humanity that spreads success and happiness.

    Jahman was the one who took on the responsibility of recruiting the team and creating the different sections of ‘Naija Times’ in line with the strategic positioning of the newspaper: journalism in the service of society.

    When I contacted Prof Darren Kew, an American and Director of the Centre of Peace, Democracy and Development of the University of Massachusetts, Boston, USA, to reflect on his relationship with Jahman, he told me Jahman is the elder brother he always wanted to have.

    “Jahman is larger than life,” says Prof Darren, a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of ‘Naija Times’, in a glowing tribute.

    “He is like one of the archetypical characters he plays on stage except that he is real: full of energy and enthusiasm, charismatic, and a powerful intellect that is only surpassed by his love for people around him,’’ he continues.

    “Like a director, he works behind the scenes, helping people left and right, opening doors when they need them, applauding when they do well, and taking them out for pounded yam, palm wine and good music when their spirits are down.

    “He holds great influence, but you will never know it if you see him, since he won’t talk about his efforts unless you ask him, and he will always downplay his own role. He is always in his car working, so you are lucky to catch him when you do.

    “But when you do meet him, he will smile and make you feel like an Oba (King), make you laugh and share good ideas to help you solve your problems. He will call you brother and even tell this ‘oyinbo’ that he is ‘Omowale’, and remind you that all of our efforts to do some good in this world are not in vain.

    “I can never repay his many kindnesses and friendship, but if someone will teach me the talking drum, I will sing his praises.”

    Family and friends continuously sing Jahman’s praises because he is a great mind and good man. For all his outstanding service in the arts and culture community, Jahman deserves national recognition. But I know he is not craving for one nor is he looking forward to such honour because he will reject it.

    On the occasion of his 60th birthday, it gives me great pleasure to nickname him as “Nigeria’s culture ambassador”.

    Jahman’s son, Oluwaseunrere who was also born in January, told me his father treats everyone around him with care and love.

    “My dad is a great man and he cares for his family in a special way,” Seun says. “He does not give up easily on any assignment, no matter how challenging.”

    Seun is a graduate of computer science but he wants to become a cyber-security expert. His sister, Toluwalase, is based in Germany and they are excited to see their father move up to the sixth floor of his life.

    Congratulations Jahman on your Diamond Jubilee. May your days be long!

     

    Braimah is a public relations strategist and publisher/editor-in-chief of Naija Times

  • Women deserve better treatment – By Francis Ewherido

    Women deserve better treatment – By Francis Ewherido

    By Francis Ewherido

    I am not into women liberation the way it is seen in the Western world. For some westerners, the African culture is inferior, so we should scrap it and replace it with the Western culture. I was born in Africa and grew up in Urhobo land, to be specific. I am a typical Urhobo man, but the “typical” has been moderated by my western education and Christian beliefs. But I remain an Urhobo man.

    For instance, these days all sensible Urhobo men send their children to school, unlike our grandparents who were notorious for sending only their sons to school. If I have time, I cook for the whole house, though I firmly believe that it is the primary duty of the wife. In many of today’s families, especially in the urban centres, spouses share the chores and I do not have problems with that.

    I spent some time with my wife on Long Island, New York. Our hosts (husband and wife) did the chores together. The same applied in all the white families we visited. They were in their 70s and 80s. Before that trip, I was having running battles with my eldest daughter over dirty dishes in the sink. When I got back, the battles stopped. If I saw dirty dishes, I washed them. She and her siblings became embarrassed seeing me do dishes. The problem was substantially solved.

    I copied good traits from Western culture. But the Urhobo man in me cannot be erased. In my bachelor days, my girlfriend told me to shut up. I did, but the relationship also ended that day in my mind and effectively not long after. I have never told my wife to shut up because I think it is rude, so God forbid that day she will tell me to shut up. But I have also seen married couples of over 30 years and both of them tell each other to shut up even publicly. I have never heard that they physically fought for the over 30 years they have been married, so I guess the use of harsh language is okay by them. I also cannot tolerate a wife who wants to tell me how to live my life. NEVER. I have made costly mistakes in the process, but it is okay. I also do not tell my wife how to live her life. The boundaries were drawn before marriage and as long as she lives within boundaries, I am just fine.

    I must be consulted before she can take decisions concerning the children and the family. You cannot shave my hair in my absence. I also try to carry her along as much as possible. We do not always agree. If I feel her argument is superior, I run with it, but if I am convinced that my thinking is superior, I run with mine and accept the consequences, negative or positive.

    I have spent some time in the UK and the US and I can tell you straight away that the marriage of any Nigerian man who sticks to Nigerian values, especially male dominance, while living abroad, will collapse. In the same vein, the marriage of any Nigerian woman who abandons her African values and embraces Western values wholesale will collapse. It can never work. You can see the number of divorces of Nigerian couples in the US and the UK. Sometimes it ends in fatalities. Some Nigerian men have killed their wives, especially in the US. Sometimes they killed their own children and the mothers-in-law. Some Nigerian men have lost their homes and the little money they slaved to save, sometimes over decades. Most times they lose custody of their children. The system there favours the women. It is scary for a typical Nigerian man because our culture favours the men, but the Western culture favours women. For the marriage of a Nigerian couple to survive in Europe and America, both spouses must make adjustments to accommodate the new realities.

    But what prompted today’s article is the story of a widow, who was paraded naked in Agunese Afam-Mmaku Community in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State eight days ago. Her offence? She was caught picking snails from a sacred forest. It is against their culture. My initial reaction was indignation. Parading an adult female, and a widow for that matter, naked is a barbaric and insensitive act. I do not support disobeying the culture of the land. From 1973 to 1980, we lived in Ozoro. My mother forbade the cooking of snails in her kitchen. My people in Emokpor quarters in Ewhu-Urhobo also forbid eating of snails. This was in deference to my father, who naturally hated snails, and our driver, who hailed from Ozoro. The widow should have been sensitive to the culture of her people.

    But let us go further, the woman is a widow, probably poor and hungry. Should she have died of hunger? When David and his troops were hungry, what did they do? They ate the sacred bread meant for priests only. What kind of barbaric culture allows misguided youths to parade an adult woman naked in the streets of a community? I know why she was paraded naked; it had nothing to do with the “offence” or tradition. I quickly checked the story and found out it was done by youths. Men, especially youths, are excited about seeing a naked woman. Some of them had not seen a naked woman before. The only ones they have seen are in their phones. Many love pornography. Some are hooked on it. When they see it live, they are excited.

    It must have been before 1993 because I did not have a car then. I was waiting for a bus at Yaba Bus Stop, opposite the Yaba Psychiatric Hospital. A mentally deranged woman was at the gate. Before we knew it traders at the Tejuosho Market and along the railway started crossing the road and hailing the woman and encouraging her on. She removed her top, bra and trousers. By the time I got a bus and was leaving she was stark naked and the traders roared in excitement.

    My next question is why the elders allowed the youths to carry out such a heinous act. It does not make sense to me. Also, doesn’t her late husband come from a family or kindred? Why didn’t they protect her? This kind of ill-treatment of women, especially widows, should not be allowed in this 21st century. Sane societies protect widows. Acts like widows being locked up with corpses of their late husbands and drinking of water used to wash their late husbands’ bodies to prove their innocence should not be tolerated. If in doubt, relatives should carry out an autopsy to find the cause of their relatives’ death. Any culture that undermines the dignity of women and all people should be abolished.

    Enugu is currently under the siege of kidnappers. The youths should channel their energies towards making their communities safe, not engaging in obscene acts and perpetuating archaic and obnoxious cultures.

    Finally, the government and law enforcement agents should fish out the perpetrators and bring them to book.

  • Creative arts, cultural tourism bastion for foreign investment in Nigeria – Lai Mohammed

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has reiterated government’s commitment on socio- economic potentials inherent in creative arts and cultural tourism of Nigeria for foreign direct investment.

    Mohammed, in a statement by Ahmed Sule, Director, Media & Public Relations in Abuja, made the remark during a business development visit by Nura Kangiwa, Director General, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR).

    The visit was made alongside a delegation of 14 eminent persons including the County officials, business men and women from Miami Dade County, Florida USA.

    The minister said Miami Dade County and Nigeria had common potentials in creative arts and culture, as such, could be explored for the benefits of Nigeria and the United States.

    “Nigeria is blessed with a vast social cultural, creative arts and tourism potentials investment.

    “The collaborations and partnerships with prospective investors from Miami Dade County will open a wide range of opportunities for the promotion, growth and development of the travel-tourism and hospitality industries of both countries,” he said.

    Mohammed urged the delegation to use the opportunity of their visit to explore the beautiful flora and fauna terrain that Nigeria possessed and savour the sumptuous delicacies of Nigerian foods.

    He added that they should also savour cuisines as well as interact with the hospitable people of Nigeria for the benefits of a memorable and fruitful visit of the country.

    Earlier, leader of the delegation, Jean Monestime said they were in Nigeria to explore the possibilities of investment partnerships in several key sectors of the economy.

    Monestime, who happens to be Commissioner for District 2, Miami Dade County, said the sectors include aviation, tourism, ports and maritime industries for the economic good of Nigeria and Miami Dade Florida, USA.

    He noted that Miami Florida had a lot in common with Africa especially Nigeria, in the areas of social cultural relations, creative arts and the entertainment industry.

    He added that partnering with Nigeria could explore and harness the potentials that would boost the economic and social cultural relationship that had long existed between Nigeria and the United States of America.

    “The partnership will pave the way for harnessing those hidden potentials of both countries that have been left unexplored and untapped.

    “Our visit to the country is an eye opener of the vast socio-economic potentials that Nigeria is endowed with.

    “The investment opportunities as well as the conducive environment for foreign direct investment are positive signs of great importance, as we make the needed decision of investing in Nigeria when we return home,” Monestime said.

  • Mixed Blessings of ‘Exporting’ Troubled Marriages – By Michael West

    Mixed Blessings of ‘Exporting’ Troubled Marriages – By Michael West

    The incidents of failed marriages abroad is raising so much concern back home in Africa especially in Ghana and Nigeria. Most of the affected marriages were taken abroad in quests for better opportunities but which could not survive due to Western culture of equality and gender rights laws. In this write-up, Mrs. Alice Olusola, a writer and family affair counsellor, highlighted the risks involved in exporting troubled marriages. Please read on:

    The fad nowadays is for families to relocate abroad: the husband, wife and children. It is disheartening, however, to note that after the euphoria of seeking greener pastures wanes, most of the marriages begin to show obvious cracks which may eventually lead to separation or divorce. In some terrible cases, people have been known to engage in spousal homicide as a means of extricating themselves from bad marital entanglements.

    Now, it is advisable that if a marriage is not good in Nigeria, exporting it to the West will automatically serve its death knell. Before spouses decide to migrate, care must be taken to ensure that the marriage is strong enough to withstand the contrasting lifestyle that comes with living in hitherto unfamiliar cultural environment as well as stand the test of the new awareness of boundless freedom mostly enjoyed by the wife. Women, by nature, have the memory of an elephant; they never forget. They are also wired to internalize emotional wounds and pains waiting for the appropriate time to take their pounds of flesh.

    In addition to this, most countries in the West give women special rights and privileges which tend to stifle men in most relationships from Africa. Knowing the extent of these rights and privileges, many women are ready to pay their men, who have been excessively dictatorial and oppressive from home, back in their own coins.

    Take Beatrice for example, her husband is 15 years older than her but he’s an unrepentant bully. She’s slim, even after four children, looking beautiful, tall and fair in complexion. Beatrice had suffered verbal abuse for the most part of the 24 years of the marriage. If the man is not telling her how senseless she is today, tomorrow he is comparing her to other more productive and engaged women who bring money to the family’s coffers. A graduate of Economics, Beatrice was one of the best in her set.

    She met Jerome, her husband, during a visit to a mutual friend of theirs. Jerome had been divorced from the mother of his first four children and was free to mingle. One thing led to the other and bingo, their first child was on the way. In quick successions came three more which included a set of twin girls. Jerome insisted that he needed his wife to take adequate care of their children and so confined her to the four walls of the home while he went about seeking sustenance for his family. As time went on, her obedience became her greatest undoing since every move she made, the man would insult and call her derogatory names. He had reduced her self-esteem to smithereens.

    As God would have it, the woman won a visa lottery in 2002 and the entire family migrated to the United States of America. Today, Beatrice is in charge of the home as she’s compensating herself for the series of abuses of the past. “My friend, revenge is sweet. Here, you treat women with utmost respect and not in the crude ways African men do by boxing women into a corner like inconsequential sub humans who must walk in the shadows of their husbands. Now, he’s careful lest he runs foul of the law because he knows what the consequences of his action would be,” she told me during a telephone conversation.

    Like Beatrice, Melanie was a daughter of a clergy. Marrying her first love, Yusuf, seemed like a perfect match until he lost his job. “Though I tried my best to ensure he didn’t suffer any discomfort as I took up the payment of the bills but Yusuf was suspecting every move I made. He accused me of sleeping with my bosses and complained endlessly if I buy anything for myself. He would tell me how, as the man of the house, the Bible expected me to submit everything including my pay packet to him. I found that hard to deal with because he seemed to have gone paranoid at some point. He would sleep all day when he should be on the move looking for job but he relaxed in the fact that I had a good job that could feed our family while I give him money to cater for his parents and siblings and to flex with his friends.

    “Soon, I got an opportunity to go study abroad and the package included my family. Of course, I was ecstatic with joy not because of the juicy package that the scholarship entailed but by the fact that fate was giving me a long whip with which to steer my husband back in line. The moment we landed in America, I read a riot act to him. “Nobody in this family, except the children who were of course below 18, would eat in the house unless they earned money to purchase the food. I didn’t have to explain too much before he got the message. The laissez faire attitude had to stop. The same man who refused to lift a finger in Nigeria became a restless job hunter immediately after the riot act. I guess he realized that the party was over and I was ready to do away with him if he failed to live up to his responsibilities as a father and husband. Now in America, he works like a responsible man and picks every bill without stress unlike the way he laid-back in Nigeria. We are all living happily ever since. Western countries are a training ground for irresponsible and oppressive husbands,” she said.

    The story is not different for Clara. Her husband would beat her at will and threaten to throw her things out. In fact, he actually made good his threat on one occasion, he threw her things out and it took the intervention of her parents for the husband to allow her back home. Though she wasn’t a housewife because she had a shop where she sold groceries and household utensils, her husband had very little respect for her. He felt he was the only one fending for the family and so treated his wife badly. She would weep and pray and wonder where she had gone wrong and no answers ever came.

    Miraculously, the husband secured a family visa which took them out of the country. “It was like he was slow to realize that we were out of Nigeria. He started his oppressive habits again and one day, he hit me on the face. I then screamed so loud that one of our neighbours had to call 911. Before we could say Jack Robinson, the police had arrived. I looked at his fear-striken countenance and I had pity on him. When the policemen asked if I was alright, I answered yes. I told them that I screamed because of a cockroach I found in the kitchen. Although it was obvious that they didn’t believe me, anyway, they left with the instruction that if I sensed danger, I should not hesitate to call. From that day, whenever he attempted anything funny, I would quickly remind him that 911 is just a call away. He would pick his shirt and walk away.”

    Much as one does not subscribe to a wife threatening her husband with deportation, one would also not object if that is the only weapon a woman wields to restore her dignity, force her man to respect her and prevent constant emotional and physical abuse.

    A marriage that is bedeviled with verbal, financial, sexual, emotional and physical abuse in Nigeria will not fare better abroad unless the parties involved determine to mutually respect each other and work for the common good of their home. If your marriage is wounded here in Nigeria, don’t bother to export it! ​

    • West wrote via

    mikeawe@yahoo.co.uk

    08035304268

    08059964446

  • South Africa tourism invites the world to come “Live Again”

    South Africa tourism invites the world to come “Live Again”

    From breath-taking beauty, to sun-soaked coasts; from wildlife to active adventure; from vibrant urban energy to the incredible warmth and cultural diversity of our people – South Africa is a traveller’s dream. Now, after two years of restricted travel movements, South Africa invites the world to come experience this country filled with rich, authentic, unfiltered experiences and to Live Again!

    South Africa is decidedly spearheading the global shift towards a “post-lockdown” global travel and tourism era. Today, the destination marketing organisation, South African Tourism, unveiled its first global audio-visual marketing campaign in five years.

    Around the world extended periods of living with COVID-19 left people yearning for a travel experience that can break them out of the cycle of stress and numbness they have come to feel. People increasingly want to live their lives to the fullest and have experiences beyond the fleeting moment of mere rest and relaxation. As such, bucket-list destinations, adventures and experiences are high on travellers’ priorities. With a globally-benchmarked health and safety protocols in place, South Africa is poised to not only give travellers a life-enriching experience with its wide variety of tourism experiences and products, but travellers can have the comfort of knowing that they will be safe enjoying their time in South Africa.

    The “Live Again” Global Brand advert captures the story of a young traveller’s life-changing journey through South Africa. Feeling numb, she leaves her home country and heads to South Africa. From the moment she arrives, she starts to reawaken as she begins to experience South Africa and its amazing people. It is a showcase of captivatingly beautiful landscapes, dynamic culture and people, vibrant night-life and exquisite cuisine.

    Headlining the launch, South Africa’s Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu spoke of the South African tourism sector’s intent to restore tourism’s allure; “Resilience, industriousness and adaptability are part of the indefatigable South African spirit. Fuelled by these qualities, and driven by an unshakable conviction that we can and must climb back to the peaks we have previously summited with tourism in our country, we boldly announce to the world that South Africa is open and ready to welcome all visitors”.

    Minister Sisulu added that “the goal is simple, albeit daunting under the circumstances – restore the sector to its pre-COVID-19 pinnacle and take it even higher. The aim is to use this to catapult South Africa’s tourism sector to the forefront of the country’s economic recovery effort and position South Africa as safe and secure destination.”

    Also Speaking at the launch SA Tourism Acting Chief Executive Officer Mzilikazi Themba Khumalo said; “This campaign sums up South Africa’s resolve to not postpone living life to the fullest one moment longer. It taps into South Africans’ renowned optimism and resilience that have stood this nation in good stead at every turn when we faced seemingly intractable challenges. Through it all, we never lose our zeal for life and we’re inviting the world to approach the COVID-19 situation in the same way. We are inviting everyone to come experience the unique sounds and textures of South African cultures and experience. We’re saying it’s time to ‘Live Again ‘but to continue to observe Covid-19 safety protocols.”

    “The “Live Again” brand campaign entails the country’s brand promise to deliver the ultimate leisure and business events travel experiences that will re-energize body, mind and spirit. Through the South African song created especially for the film – weaving in sounds and textures of this rich tapestry of people and experiences, we continue to extend our signature hospitality with grace and gratitude.” adds Khumalo.

    South Africa welcomed 2 255 699 arrivals, in 2021. Already, green-shoots of what promises to be a strong recovery of the sector are increasingly observable, with thousands of travellers making their way to our shores to scratch the travel itch that has been bugging them for two years.

  • Omote Omam’omo – Francis Ewherido

    Francis Ewherido

    No suspense, the title means that the girl child is a good child. Sometime ago, I read the story of a woman, who surrendered her two daughters, aged 13 and 18, to his “man-of-God” lover to sleep with, because he promised to heal her sick SON. The foolishness that comes with desperation knows no bound. God condemns all forms of sexual immorality; how then can you believe someone, who tells you that the same God has revealed to him that he should sleep with your daughters, one of them under-aged, as a pre-condition for healing your son, and you mumurishly believed him? That was what the woman did: a man, already sleeping with her, slept with her two daughters, deflowered the younger one and impregnated the elder one, if I still remember the story correctly.

    Anyway, the woman’s inexcusable naivety and foolishness are not the points of interest today; the point is, if any of the daughters was the child who was gravely ill, would she have gone to this extent to save her? The answer is capital NO. To her, daughters are dispensable. After all, soon they will get married and sign off their surnames and adopt the husband’s surname. The thinking of many people is that the male children sustain family names. For crying out loud, where are Plato’s, Socrates’ and Shakespeare’s male children? Are they the ones sustaining their fathers’ names? Are the male children of Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Tafawa Balewa and many other great Nigerians, who have left for the great beyond, the ones sustaining their names?

    Thank God many men, especially, are now wiser. They know that their works and legacies will sustain their names, not male children. Children have their own lives to live and have to make a name for themselves and have their own legacies. These days, many Nigerians, who have only female children, hang their boots after the specified number of children that they had planned to have and move on. Some are now grandfathers. So, we do not have to go to America to cite Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Contented fathers with daughters only are here with us. There is a media personality I used to be close to. He has only daughters. When he was done with the number of children he wanted, the wife wanted them to try one more time to see if they could get a boy, but he put his foot down. Today, even from afar, his life looks very complete to me. Sons will not keep your name alive. The life you are living now will determine whether or not your name lives on after you. So, if you are still busy running around like a naked toddler, looking for a male child that will keep your name alive, you are on a wild goose chase.

    Besides our culture, which placed and still places premium on of male children, women are the main culprits who treat the girl child unfairly. I said so previously. I know a family with only one male child, where the mother practically makes the daughters worship their only brother. He does no chores and does no wrong. If he misbehaves and the elder sisters want to discipline him, the next thing you will hear is “leave my son alone; he is the only one I have.” The husband has told her she is spoiling the boy, but his admonition has fallen on deaf ears.

    I fear two scenarios for this family: one, the boy will grow up to be a very lousy husband, if not a monster. These days, many young couples go to work early and come back late. So, in the morning, while one is preparing the children’s meals, the other is getting them ready for school. In the evening, while one is cooking, the other is busy with other household chores. With a husband, who knows nothing, but only how to eat when food is ready, how will the marriage fare? Two, the daughters are growing up in a home where they are second-class citizens. It is possible they will have an inferiority complex. When they get married with this mind set, they can sit in a marriage and suffer mental, emotional or physical abuse, thinking it is normal.

    Another aspect that irritates me about this almighty male syndrome is when a daughter is the first child and sons follow. During crucial family matters, the eldest daughter is shoved aside in some families as if she does not exist or have a brain to think and make valuable contributions. The one that irritates me most is when accomplished women, intelligent women and well exposed women are side-lined and their only sin is that God created them women. Very important family decisions are then left for almighty eldest male children. I would be less bitter if all these eldest males were responsible and competent. But some of these guys are drunks, drug addicts, layabouts, good-for-nothing lousy bums and school dropouts who are painfully limited in knowledge and scope. They end up messing up everybody and leading the whole family into the gutter.

    If you like o, treat your daughters like slaves and second-class citizens in their own homes. In my home, it is a level-playing field. I am bringing up my daughters up to be lionesses; self-assured. I tell them to be tough because they were born into a society where the odds are against them. My eldest child is female and she is firmly in charge of my household. When my wife and I travel, she takes full charge. Her younger siblings know there are grave consequences for anyone who disobeys her. The boys might have muscles, but they keep their muscles to themselves and obey her. Where I see excesses, I correct her.

    All children must be trained to have self-worth, but it is especially necessary for the girl-child. A girl without self-worth sells herself cheap and falls for every “Dick,” Tom and Harry, looking for acceptance and affirmation. You do not want that for your baby girl. Our culture is important, it is our identity and must be jealously guarded. But some aspects of our culture are obnoxious and every obnoxious culture should be jettisoned. That was why killing of twins ended in Calabar. That is also why every aspect of our culture that makes the girl-child a second-class citizen should be consigned to the dustbin of history.

    I see encouraging signs, but we still need to do a lot more. Recently, the Orovworere of Effurun-Otor, King Johnson Duku, added me to the list of elites of Effurun-Otor. By African standard, I am not eligible because I am maternally from Effurun-Otor. But King Duku, in my estimation, treasures emor’emete (children of daughters) and sees me as one of his subjects and I am happy about it. Urhobo, Delta, Nigeria, Africa, omotejohwo, odi’ohwo vo, omamo r’ohwo (the girl child is also a human being; not just a human being, but a great human being). Love her, honour her, respect her, and give her what is her due.

  • Corruption is most deeply entrenched culture in Nigeria – Magu

    The Acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, on Wednesday described corruption as “most extensive and deeply entrenched culture” in Nigeria.

    Magu said between January and July this year, the Commission had secured 142 convictions including that of two former governors – Joshua Dariye (Plateau) and Rev. Jolly Nyame (Taraba).

    Magu spoke through the Zonal head of EFCC in Ibadan, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, while addressing security agencies, paramilitary groups, Non- governmental agencies, civil society groups, students, voluntary organisations, trade groups and community leaders who joined the EFCC in a road walk against corruption.

    The exercise followed the adoption of July 11 as the African Anti-corruption Day, with the officials of the Ibadan Zonal office of the EFCC leading hundreds of protesters on a peaceful solidarity march from Iyaganku GRA to Cocoa House in Dugbe.

    The protesters, who carried placards with various inscriptions, urged the people to support the present administration’s anti-graft campaign.

    The inscriptions on some of the placards read: “Beware of juju scam,” “ Fight against corruption, we will make Nigeria great again,” “Speak out, say no to corruption,” “ Red card for corruption,” “See something, say something, EFCC will do something” and “Support EFCC to fight corruption,” among others.

    Other agencies who joined the EFCC in the solidarity rally were – the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Orientation Agency (NOA), Directorate of State Services (DSS), police and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

    Magu said: “This year’s event has a unique resonance coming against the backdrop of the AU declaration of 2018 as the African Year of Combating Corruption with the theme ‘winning the fight against corruption: A sustainable path to Africa’s transformation.

    “The designation of President Muhammadu Buhari as the Africa’s Anti-Corruption Champion also adds a distinct Nigerian flavour to this year’s event with the EFCC driving the process.

    “For us in Nigeria, today is a special day for obvious reasons. This is because our country has one of the most extensive and deeply entrenched culture of corruption on the African continent, if not in the whole world. This is manifested in the increasingly large number of corruption related investigations, litigations, convictions and recoveries made by the EFCC since 2003.

    “The depth and gravity of corruption can be seen in the fact that between January and July alone, the EFCC has secured 142 convictions, amongst which are that of Reverend Jolly Name and Chief Joshua Dariye, the former governors of Plateau and Taraba States respectively.

    “This is an indication that we are determined to win the corruption war, no matter how long it will take. The Commission has also traced and recovered illicit funds, as well as properties worth billions of dollars. This level of corruption is shocking, destructive and totally unacceptable. Therefore, the commemoration of the African Anti-Corruption day is important, timely and necessary.”

  • Anambra begins development of culture, tourism centres – Commissioner

    The Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, Culture and Tourism in Anambra, Mrs Stella Onuora, said that the state government has begun exploration of tourists’ sites in the state to boost revenue.

    Onuora made the disclosure in Awka on Monday in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    The commissioner said that as part of her ministry’s efforts to ensure that tourism and culture was well placed in the state, leisure tourism would be explored while tourists’ sites were developed.

    She identified some of the sites to include Ogbunike Cave in Oyi Local Government, Owerri-Ezukala Water Falls in Orumba South council and Agulu Lake in Anaocha Local council.

    Onuorah said that Gov. Willie Obiano’s administration had improved the tourism potential of the state through its effective security network, infrastructural development and opening up of tourists’ sites.

    She disclosed that tourism sector would be receiving more resources to ensure that all the sites in the state were made to standard to attract indigenous and foreign investors.

    The commissioner called on unemployed youths to key into the tourism potential of the state by identifying with their culture and demonstrating willingness to work in the sector.

    Onuora said that the state government would harness and showcase the rich cultural heritage and sites in the state both for economic and social reasons.

    According to her, culture and tourism are both economic and social trend that holds major prospects in nation building.

    “When these prospects are properly identified and harnessed, the Gross Domestic Product of the nation will be tremendously alarming because the nation will see what they have been missing for long due to lack of nature appreciation.

    “If we develop tourism culture like Jerusalem, Brazil, France, and London, revenue alone from tourism will shock us and be able to solve a lot of infrastructural problems.

    “Tourism and culture hype is a silent money spinning venture because it gives people relaxation needed after a long work period and rejuvenates one back to life,’’ she said.

    She said that with development of the sector, the government would be giving dividend of democracy to its citizens without much cost in achieving such success.

    She described culture and tourism as `catalysts for national development and big foreign earners’ for state.

    The commissioner urged the citizens both at home and in Diaspora to log into Anambra State Tourism Portal initiative so as to keep abreast on issues in the sector.

     

  • Festivals are avenues to develop domestic tourism-Nneka Moses

    Mrs Nneka Moses, the Managing Director (MD) of Goge Africa, a cultural firm, says that domestic tourism can be developed through celebration of indigenous festivals.

     

    Moses told newsmen in Lagos that festivals would always bring about cultural integration among stakeholders.

     

     

     

    “Festival is an avenue to showcase a nation’s cultures, norms and lifestyles to the outside world, which in turn brings about integration,’’ she said.

     

     

     

    According to her, there are thousands of festivals celebrated in Nigeria annually which can be used to boost the nation’s foreign exchange earnings.

     

     

     

    “The more the celebrations of traditional festivals; the more tourists, foreigners and visitors that are likely to come into the country to watch or participate.

     

     

     

    “Once the international tourists come to Nigeria for festivals, they eat our local cuisine, lodge in our hotels, enter commercial vehicles, airlines and patronise our locally-made goods and items.

     

     

     

    “This will increase the country’s internally generated revenue (IGR), create employment opportunities for the country’s citizens,’’ she said.

     

     

     

    She said that some of the prominent festivals are: Osun-Osogbo, Ofala, Argungun Fish Festival, Eyo and Durban festivals.

     

     

     

    “If these indigenous festivals are properly packaged; promoted and supported by both the Federal and state governments, they will put the nation’s culture and tourism in the forefront among other international festivals ,’’ she said.

     

    Moses advised the government to adequately support the growth of national festivals saying that this would facilitate the development of domestic tourism.

     

    She said that several countries such as Kenyan, Ethiopia and France had improved their economies by developing their tourism sectors, adding that Nigeria could take a clue from them.

     

    Moses said that each state in the country had lots of tourism and culture potential that they could develop to boost their Internally Generated Revenue

     

     

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