XMAS IN AFRICA

I m back after a long time off blogging,motherhood is a very challenging job and the joy of caring for ones children is the joy of a mother.Christmas once again, i love the feelings of the Yuletide period,it gives me a lot of memories as a child back in Africa in those day,i am elated by my new outfit which i cant wait to display on the d-day.Nostalgia is an occurring factor which prevails in the minds of Africans in diaspora, when ever it comes to festive period like this and i am not exempted.In comparison to festivities in the world where we are now,i found out it s more fun to me celebrating Xmas in the ways which i knew from childhood (don't blame me) playing all night through with fire crackers,attending Xmas carol,visiting friends and celebrating, on the streets you see children singing in my neighborhood,¨Christmas dey come mama buy shoe for me¨,over here its a different world,the developed society have provided us with everything we needed,glittering Xmas lights and trees on the streets,gifts for children,fun fare .....the list is endless... but no neighborhood,no going to my neighbors to shout merry Xmas and eat the normal Xmas treat.

POLITICS,POWER AND PAINS

An African adage once said ¨¨A man that swallows the palm kernel seed should consider the hole in his anus¨¨Africa has a very rich heritage, culture and language which I am very proud of, most at times I refer to these adages to guide and retrace my steps when I am going astray. the African adage to me is just like reading the Christian bible daily for guidelines, with such rich cultural heritage, I stop and wonder why most African leaders tends towards tyranny, kleptocracy, nepotism etc.Humans naturally are very greedy specie of animals, Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas, almost the world as a whole has a monarchical ruler, now this monarchs believes their position is eternal or an inheritance, when they dies their children takes over, now what am I driving at? Queen Elizabeth have been on the throne before I was born and she is still ruling, though with a prime minister as a result of the new madness called democracy, other European countries too still maintains the traditional form of government.Furthermore, as an African, I know that there are traditional rulers too with the same rules like queen Elizabeth, Rey Juan Carlos and the likes, but with colonialism how do the colonialist expect their African counterpart to understand the rules? A warrant officer during colonial government with little education and more of military training will never understand human right rules and the likes, kings are never voted for, so how do you expect the likes of Robert Mugabe to leave his post as president. In 1970 legislative and presidential election was held and Mobutu won 99% of the popular vote in an election where voting was compulsory and he was the sole candidate. He was re-elected in single-candidate elections in 1977 and 1984.Yesterday history repeated itself,Mughabe the sole candidate got majority of Zimbabwean vote, also history too will yet repeat it self when Mr. Mugabe’s reign and life will end like Idi Amin of Uganda, Charles Taylor of Liberia and Gen Sanni Abacha of Nigeria. A MAN THAT BRINGS ANT INFESTED FAGGOT TO HIS HOME SHOULD NOT BE SURPRISE WHEN HE IS VISITED BY THE LIZARD!!!!!!!!!!

JOBS AND WARS

What is happening in the world’s economy is really amazing, I am not an economist or very good with formulas but what I read daily on stock exchange market is catastrophic. The US stock exchange downslide affected Afria,Asia and European countries, everyday one sector is affected beginning from January this year, it began with shares/bonds, banks, housing, manufacturers, producers, in the past few days fishermen and transporters. The later really caused a sensation in the lives of consumers, the bulk of fruit and fish eaters were hard hit. Now the bone of contention is how these whole drama affects the immigrant, unemployment has risen from 10 percent in January to 70 percent in May, most job agents don’t have jobs to offer to the bulk of unemployers searching for jobs, the little jobs available were given to fellow citizens so, what is the plight of the immigrant? Reflecting on the recent happenings in South Africa, the southerners claims that the immigrants from Mozambique and surrounding countries have taken their jobs and there are no jobs left for them, QUE RABIA! My question is what is this thing against immigrants? An African man living just a doorstep from his homeland is being murdered for gaining employment!

ALL THE WORLD´S A STAGE

In life a man wants to be acknowledged, prominent, affluent, trendy......etc for Africans in Diaspora there are few or no such opportunities. In Diaspora most Africans are bent on working and taking care of their immediate families and those at home. These attitudes of silence, siddon look don tire some of our educated Africans to the extent of involving themselves by means of rejoinder in their country’s affairs. Most Africans I know down here (I will not use the normal, ¨¨up here¨¨bcos here no be heaven as una think for Africa.)Read their country’s news on the web daily so as to be abreast on the latest happenings at home, and guess what my guys do? send a counter motion against an editorial so that it will be published and my guys will feel like ¨¨I too must be heard ke,afterall no one listened to me while at home, the platform of stardom is for politicians only so now that I am abroad I too don become SOMEBODY.¨¨Celebrating oneself, I observed is an African thing, we Africans celebrates almost anything, birth (which is normal) marriage,birthdays,death.Ah!talking about death, an African died in my neighbourhood two weeks ago and his association(i.e. his tribesmen) have set aside money to take the corpse back home, why do such a thing? taking a dead person back to Africa, I asked one of the members. I was told that the association was formed for that purpose and members are to contribute some amount annually to that effect. Astonished was my expression because the deceased has four children, why not use this money for their up keeping pending when the wife is strong enough to take up the responsibilities? Well, I must commend the efforts of that association, what have my country men done so far than quarrel and fight amongst themselves? WONDERING WHICH COUNTRY I AM REFERRING TO?

ABOUT POLITICS

The Spanish government just began a new phase with the same prime minister who have been heading the government for the past four years, he is to continue for four years making it eight years altogether and I wonder to myself what is the fun in politicking, before the election I watched the opposing party attacking and throwing direct accusation at the president, which reminds me of the little politics I got involved with, in my university days. A school of thought once said man is a political animal, on my bed as I reminiscent over this thought in my head before disappearing into oblivion, I asked myself do I like politics. I must confess I don’t enjoy playing dirty and politics is a dirty game, although I didn’t play dirty then, I had my fair share of down sliding, a lot of oppositions within and without. Ahhh, it seems so funny now, how I eventually became the president of the departmental association without bargaining for it, reactions from guys in my ex co who didn’t find it pleasing for a woman leader (though they did not voice it out) how some other guys in the department felt there must be a by election so as to allow a guy to be there ahhhhhh, so funny now. That was I how I became a womanist, I felt it was unfair on me as woman, am i a misfit? A sex object? (Though a large number of men believed the latter) Well, I want to state here that women are not sex object, I refuse to accept such terms, I though have seen a lot of women giving what they have in exchange for something but it is a error to generalize such an act!. Who were those I was advocating for then? My gender? Ask me now if I'm still interested in such a thing I will say a capital NO! my gender are called the weaker sex, it goes a long way weaker in thinking, knowledge, wisdom, strength it continues like that….. there are so many of them that struggles to shake themselves from the shackles of this masculine adage but some are too comfortable to accept the fact that they are just as the books says. That brings be to the question, Hilary Clinton and Obama who is my candidate, I am torn between two ends I want a woman president for once in America and also as an immigrant I want a Blackman too so what do I do?

HOME SWEET HOME

The wave of Nigerians going back home to settle after receiving their studies abroad has waned
Considerably since the 70's, mid 80's. In fact, most of them want to stay here, make money and send it to Niger.Does this mean we've turned our back on our homeland? No! But we can't be blind to the many flaws Nigeria has. Why subject one's self to certain suffering?The job out look is depressing. Even though we have a lot of fuel, we suffer from fuel scarcity, fluctuating prices e.t.c, Our institutions of higher learning are fast becoming a breeding ground for cult activities, strikes e.t.c. Our results are looked upon with suspicion and many colleges here won't even accept them!How do I go about establishing a business in Nigeria? Do we have tax code, tax offices, and honest tax officers? Do we have the infrastructures to support international trade?To whom do I send my resume & cover-letter in the event I want to work for the state or federal government? How many people do I need to bribe in other to gain employment?Can I be certain that armed-robbers would not come after me if they 'smell' dollars and pounds within my vicinity? Why must I erect high-powered fences around my house as though I live in Kirikiri or in any of the famed Nigerian prisons?Ha! And those hired/political assassins. Enemies and opponents may not find it useful to go through the Courts -- but may instead employ extra-judicial means to settle disputes.I have questions, and I have concerns. I want to return home...home to Nigeria; but, I am not mentally prepared or psychologically ready. I do enjoy my periodic visits...but...but...but
Isn't it just a shame?A country as great and as beautiful as Nigeria, is losing its most valuable resource... People.And the people aren't just the run of the mill type. They are people who are intelligent and upwardly mobile. But facts are facts. Nigeria isn't a place that you can just start up from scratch. You either have to have connections, money or both.And even when you arrive at the top, you can't even flaunt your money as you'd like so that no one has "bad bele" for you.I think that's what scares me most about Niger... the JUJU.
Work, money, security, safety, convenience, environmental, satisfaction, independence, privacy etc.It just seemed so much headache to get the simplest things done.And frankly speaking I doubt Nigeria or most countries in Africa will move into the modern era, this century I may be wrong, but from an objective, factual viewpoint, I doubt it.The beautiful ones are not yet born I guess.
But anyway who says you have to live, thrive and die where you were born?

immigrants- humans or lice?

Good evening my fellow Americans, and those of you from other lands who are pursuing U.S. citizenship legally. Tonight I’ve come to praise immigration, not to bury it.
This nation was built through the blood and toil of restless refugees yearning to breathe free. Our canvas has been painted in a thousand shades of humanity. Our national language reverberates with the sweet song of innumerable accents. It’s a vibrant symphony that brings unity from diversity.
We are a nation of laws, not of men. That’s what sets us apart from the monarchies, dictatorships and democracies-in-name-only. Our Republic was founded to protect the weak from the strong, and to defend the rights of the individual in his person and property.
Americans remember where we came from, and so we’re a merciful people. America is the land of second chances.
And so, if you sneaked into our great country–like a thief in the night–to take for yourself the benefits of citizenship without bearing the burdens that come with that high position, I have a message for you tonight.
On behalf of all legal U.S. citizens past, present and future, let me say this: ‘Get off of our land. Get out of our country. We’re giving you a second chance to do the right thing.’
If you have difficulty locating the exits, just ask any legal U.S. citizen and he’ll show you the door. If you linger too long, you’ll get an armed escort.
Once you have returned to your country of origin, you may apply to re-enter the United States legally.
It’s inconvenient. It’s slow. It will cost you. But as millions of naturalized citizens will tell you, it’s worth the wait to wake up each morning, to take a deep breath of freedom, and to hold in your heart the meaning of that old song: “This is my country. Land of my choice.”
God bless you as you start your new life in the bright sunshine of legal freedom.
And God bless the United States of America.The sentences in bold is what i want to pay attention to,is it true that the president of the U.S wrote this?if this is true i will not be too surprised on what president bush is capable of.

There were two dead among 59 travellers on the boat

A cayuco boat with 59 people on board has arrived

in the port of Los Cristianos overnight, coming into port at

4,30am.Reports indicate it carried the bodies of two dead immigrants.

All the travellers were male.

I am back after a week of gripe,the cold is having its toll on yours sincerely.
Who send us come oyinbo man land,we are made for our own weather in Africa or
do i say the African weather is made for Africans?
We are copying sha,with nuf coat,gloves,mufflers,socks name it,whiteman too dresses the same.
These Africans in the pic are Senegalese all the way from Africa coming into Spain in a boat.Its always the case,every month the team of red cross are all hands on deck bring in immigrants who are coming in to seek for a better condition.
But wait oh! what are about those who died on their way,have they achieved their goals?

Africans in diaspora are a people geographically out of their various places of birth for peculiar reasons raging from tribal conflict,political and economic problems,joblessness etc,etc.Therefore for these reasons do i say that those in diaspora are more fortunate than those at home?generally that is the believe of my people back home.However,in oyinbo mans country Africans,especially the ´¨colored¨¨ are saddled with what we all know as co lour differences,superiority of race.The difference between developed countries and developing countries (classified as the third world)is that the developed countries possesses a good governing body, a good economy and a high level of tolerance notwithstanding a little racial superiority here and there. Uhmmm.....talking of racism,have we forgotten there is a word called tribalism? now I'm accusing oyinbo man, who seems to be reminding me of our color differences,so what happens to my fellow African brother who is saying now that although we have the same co lour but you no be my papa pikin.Kenya is boiling hot, brothers killing each other,tribal conflict between the Lou tribe and the Kikuyu tribe....so what is my conclusion?

new year resolutions

New year resolutions is tough business,its not an issue to be taken lightly at all,for someone like me i have stop making resolutions especially at the beginning of the year.Why you may ask?i don't want to sound too righteous but i don't need it anymore,i feel resolutions are oats you take at the beginning of the year to stop sinning and starts doing good(if I'm wrong correct me)as a single young girl when i was in Niger, i could remember going to RCCG end of the year retreat,on leaving the camp i would have made up my mind to stop having boyfriend and committing fornication,alas! b/4 the end of January I'm back again,you know what?that was my problem as a young lady,now what resolution am i to make?i have a lord over my head,my children to care for, so what else?Although we face alot of challenges over here as blacks but its a lesser evil compared to temptations been faced daily in my dear motherland.The only problems i see as temptations here are my fellow Nigerians,they are still the same as ever,even worst.my fellow brothers/sisters en diaspora are always eager to stab you in the back,looking for fast ways to get money from their fellow Nigerians,causing problems between their fellow Nigerians and whites etc.Make i state for instance,una no sey for here,we wen get paper dey give out to those wen no get for them to work with,ok,if nigerman get wahala with him fellow nigerman,maybe misunderstanding,he go call oyinbo company sey the person wen dey work for them no be him get paper,dis thing good my people?All I'm saying in a nutshell is that i don't what to make a resolution not to communicate with my fellow Nigerians bcos of these,we should learn to tolerate one another as brothers in Diaspora.

Death´s cold hands have embrassed a friend, a mother, a sister in diaspora,a wife,and an agile young lady.Monsuratu alias iya omolade,slept and woke up in the bossom of her maker last week,i got to know her 2005 during my son´s naming ceremony,i hardly knew her but was surprised to see alot of yorubawomen helping out with the chores for the ocassion.What really struck me was the energy and love they displayed,i rememberd i cried at the begining of the feast,i cried because i dont know these women yet they showed love for a fellow sister.Today i am crying cause i have lost a gem,i wont exaggerate,monsuratu have a big heart,i spoke with her last december 19 2007,we were making preparation for assalatu´s launching.Above is the photo of the day of launching,an energic iya omolade clearing up the plates.MAY YOUR GENTLE SOUL REST IN PERFECT PEACE,ADIOS.

CONFLICT OF CULTURE

The typical African individual living in any western nation makes an effort to balance his culture with what the foreign society or environment demands. It is a continuous battle trying to adapt to the foreign culture and society while at the same time striving to hold on to the traditional African within the individual.

While in the western society, if the typical African insists on being an African to the core, the western public will misconceive him, but if he wholly imbibes the foreign culture, he would likely lose the core elements that make him a traditional African. And if in that condition, he goes/comes home to Africa, he would be seen by the typical traditional Africans at home (and there are millions of them) as a disgrace to the motherland and culture he was supposed to represent. He would be regarded as a sell-out. He would be viewed as one without consideration or respect for his roots. He would be treated as one who chose to snub his culture out of egotism and pomposity.

To avoid being continuously tongue-lashed and insulted, the returning African would try to hide the influence of the foreign accent on his speech. Usually he fails at it because sooner or later, the foreign accent slips through. In the end, he only subjects himself to ridicule and scorn. He becomes the worst of two worlds – neither being able to properly speak and exhibit his original language and traditional culture, nor successfully imbibing the western accent and culture. A sort of dilemma hardly understood by those who have never been faced by the reality of this dual situation on a first hand experience.

This predicament is further compounded by the fact that the individual thus becomes a master of neither his original African traditional culture, nor the previously strange western culture. It is worse when he now has a family, perhaps an interracial one. How complex it is, probably becomes manifested in the characteristics of the children raised with such background.