Metro

Poetry: Found

"And when I saw her"

"I could not forget"

"Her eyelids dropped"

"Her hair seemed wet"

"She seemed not to know"

"That I was he"

"She'd always been let down"

"Unlucky in love,you see"

"And yet I was opportuned"

"To ask her hand"

"She looked and said"

"You build castles in the sand"

"I knelt and uttered"

"Let me be your knight"

"For even one as fair as you"

"Needs someone to fight"

"So here I stand"

"On the brink of insanity"

"Knowing ders no such love"

"As that with two who are crazy"

Amos George

Suicide: The Dissolution but not the Solution by Damilola Akinlolu

Suicidal thoughts have become a norm in our society, as many see it as the lasting solution to a temporary problem. Putting an end to one's life does not in any way put an end to the problem, rather it opens a new chapter of struggle which one has no idea of.

There are lot of cases in our society that have prompted people to end their lives, a news got circulated sometimes ago about a young boy who ended his life because he failed UTME(United Tertiary Matriculation Exam), another person ended her life because she was not given attention by her mother. Some suicidal acts are known to be impulsive due to financial difficulties, stress, relationship breaks or bullying. Other suicidal acts are quite unexplainable. People go to any lengths to carry out this action, the popular ones are by hanging (or suffocation), overdose, usage of firearms, drowning, pesticide poisoning and falls. When I hear people clamor for the ban on insecticides, I'm compelled to ask if insecticide is the only means of ending one's life. Rather than putting a ban on insecticides, why not let's address the issue from the root cause?

Overtime, the range of ages prone to this act is 15 – 30 years of age. Suicide has become the 10th leading cause of death worldwide. Depression, substance abuse (alcohol, hard drug …), bipolar disorder, mental health problems are risk factors. A common risk factor, depression, is a serious medical illness that negatively affects the way one feels, thinks and acts.

During depression, people suffer in silence. There is this feeling of isolation and untrue belief that they’re the only one lost. This continues for a while or longer until they can’t take it anymore. At this point, the only escape route seen is death because the mind is in thick darkness. And in most cases, the easiest option thought about is suicide. Fake appearances and expression manifest in such individuals in order to hide the real issue at hand from every single soul around them. Even when help comes knocking faintly, they deny it and go ahead in betraying themselves. They think the solution has been fixed by them but they fail to see that their own death isn’t the death of the problem. The problem gets passed on to loved ones as guilt and regrets consume them up. The “what if?”, “had I known” and “I thought” damage loved ones left behind especially if they continue to blame themselves for the demise of a depressed being. They assume it were their fault for failing to see the frown under that smile, the sadness being covered by happiness and the inability to differentiate between real and fake.

To every depressed soul out there and every one already having suicidal ideations, suicide was and will never be the solution. Suicide does not solve the problem as the problem still persists. It even creates more problems for those you care about. Depression does get better when you come to the realization that there are a lot of positive things out there waiting for you find them and many positive ways out there waiting to be located by you. Be optimistic! The help and realization are not sudden but gradual. Don’t suffer alone. Speak to someone (a non-judgmental person), though it might seem the hardest thing to do. You can also meet your religious head if the need be. And in case you don’t have the above around you, there are hotlines of professional individuals or organization out there.

Adetoun walked down the streets slowly, she looked quite torn between two worlds – the world of reality and that of her thoughts. She mistakenly bumped into a dark young man who seemed to be in a hurry; this was met with a series of insults. She quickly did her best to apologize to him, but he was gone already. She composed herself immediately, and sat down on the bonnet of a car.

Adetoun was a beautiful lady, dark in complexion, she had a slightly pointed nose, and an oblong face. All these features even made her beauty to be more pronounced. She was what the guys of today would call “melanin popping”.

As beautiful as she was, she had her scars. She was an only child; and as fate would have it – she became an orphan at the age of twelve. From that moment, Adetoun’s custody was handed over to her father’s brother, who was popularly known as “Chairman” in his area because he happened to be the head of the area boys and touts. Chairman was a huge man, with a round face and receding hairline; he also had a stomach that looked like it was housing twins. You could always perceive the stench of beer or cigarettes around him; he had a wife- Mummy Tayo, and two children- Tayo and Wumi. Wumi and Adetoun were age mates, while Tayo was already eighteen.

Adetoun soon moved in, and started school again. All seemed to be going well until one terrible incident happened; on a cloudy day, Adetoun was inside the house, all alone, washing her clothes. Tayo and Wumi had already gone to meet their mother in her shop which was three streets away .Adetoun happily washed her clothes at the back of the house as she hummed a song she heard from the radio. Chairman staggered into the house, heavily drunk; he shouted “who’s in this house o?” .Adetoun quickly stood up from where she was washing and went inside to meet her uncle. “E kaabo, Sir”, she knelt down to greet him; Chairman’s eyes did a quick scan of Adetoun’s body and he licked his lips. “Oya, go and bring me the two thousand naira I kept on the small table in my room”, he commanded.

Adetoun, the obedient child she was, ran to her uncle’s room to get the money; little did she know that she was walking into an evil trap. When she got there, her eyes scanned the room for the small table. She saw it, but she couldn’t see any money on it. As she turned around to go and give her uncle a feedback of the little errand, she was met by her uncle who was already by the door. Chairman locked the door and put the key in his pocket; Adetoun was confused and asked “Uncle, what’s happening? Is there an armed robber outside?” Her questions were met with a reply of four words, four words that would later haunt her in the future. “Adetoun, remove your clothes” was all her uncle told her. Adetoun was so dumbfounded, but then, she quickly realized the implications of her uncle’s words. Already in tears, she started pleading with her uncle, but her uncle pushed her to the bed. She started to shout, but her uncle was quick to quiet her by giving her two slaps and he covered her mouth with his hand. Without wasting time, her uncle already stripped her of her clothes, along with her dignity and pride, and whatever happiness she had been feeling previously. Adetoun had no strength left in her, as her uncle mounted her and devoured her virginity like a hungry lion; she could only curse him in her heart. After Chairman was done eating the forbidden fruit, he heaved a sigh of satisfaction and fanned himself.

Next, he threatened to kill Adetoun if she ever uttered a word to any soul. Adetoun. Chairman stood up and happily left the crime scene. After much shedding of tears, Adetoun stood up, staggering and went to the bathroom first, trying to wash away the dirt and the pains away. Then, she went to her uncle’s room; as she entered, she started crying and she removed the sheets. Amidst the tears, she washed the sheets and her remaining clothes so the other members of the family wouldn’t suspect a thing.

When Mummy Tayo, Tayo and Wumi got back from the shop, Adetoun acted like as if everything was perfectly alright. For one week, Adetoun was withdrawn to herself, she was no longer the friendly child she used to be. If anyone asked what happened to her, she simply replied that she was remembering her dead parents. This façade went on and on, until another day came when Chairman wanted to have his way again. This time, Adetoun used all of her strength to resist him and she ran away (At this point in time, she was just in the second class of junior secondary school). Chairman went outside and sent some of his boys to look for her. When his wife and children came back, he denied ever seeing Adetoun that day; “I thought she was with you in the shop”, he said. He calmed his wife and children down and made a show of calling his boys to look for Adetoun.

Adetoun kept running till she was very tired and out of breath. She looked around and tried to assess her surroundings. She realized that she was already in another area. Then, she saw a man who was loading his truck with farm produce, and she deducted that he was going to the city. She sneaked into the back of his truck and soon enough, the man started driving, unaware of the fact that he was carrying an extra passenger.

In Chairman’s house, his wife and children were very worried and eagerly awaited the reports of the boys. The boys came back with a negative report as all efforts in the search for Adetoun were futile. Mummy Tayo and her children were greatly distressed after hearing this; Chairman reassured them that he would still search for her the next day.

When she got to the city in the morning, she walked around the streets looking at the busy ways of the city and thinking of a way to survive. The next day, she decided that she would have to look for a way to fend for herself. Just as she was thinking of ideas, she saw a girl that was caught stealing. She went to meet the girl and then indicated her interest in joining the group of pickpockets. The other girl, who was called Esi, as she discovered later, reluctantly agreed to teach her. That was how Adetoun became a full-time pickpocket; she became quite a professional.

At Chairman’s house, after all continued efforts to search for Adetoun had been in vain, they all concluded that she must have been kidnapped or used for rituals. So, everyone mourned for her, some with crocodile tears, and everyone moved on with their lives.

For many years in the city, Adetoun continued in the art of pickpocketing and had a lot of friends. Their shelter was an uncompleted building. One day, as Adetoun was walking around the city, already a lady of eighteen, she heard a talk on the radio about life. The radio presenter advised the youth to do something meaningful and legal, something their parents could be proud of, and not to engage in illegal vices. Adetoun was disturbed as the thought of her dead parents came floating to her mind. “Would they be pleased with her if she was engaging in this terrible act”? , this was one of the many questions that troubled her mind. That night, Adetoun tossed and turned as she kept thinking of what to do, she finally made a decision.

The next morning, before anyone woke up, she packed her bag, and with the money she had saved over time, she made her way to another part of the city. She had decided that she would be selling groundnuts which is “epa” in Yoruba land and roasted plantain popularly known as “boli”. She rented a flat and she went to the market to acquire the materials for her business, then she went to get a stand where she could sell her boli and epa. She soon became popular in that town, because she was always nice to her customers and everyone around her. Due to the nature of her work, she became known as “Anti Boli” by the young and old. Adetoun was also involved in the town’s youth forum, and she was an active member. Whenever there was a call for help, she was always willing to do so. Alas, she had really changed overnight. For Adetoun, it was tough to resist the temptation of being a pickpocket, but she tried her best to steer clear of pickpocketing.

One fateful day, at the market where Adetoun happened to sell boli andepa, a boy who looked to be about fifteen years old was running with so much speed, with five area guys fast at his heel. Shouts of “thief, thief, ole” hung in the air as everyone gave their attention to the ongoing chase. Eventually, the boy was caught and before you could say Jack Robinson, a big black tyre was placed around his neck, and one of the area boys popularly known as “Ijakadi” went to get petrol to make the sacrifice complete.

While all this was happening, Adetoun was watching from her stand and she felt a tug at her heart to help the poor boy even though he was guilty of the crime. She said a short prayer, and proceeded to do an Esther. She held her head up high, and went to meet the head of the area boys, who was called “Kayefi”. She pleaded with him “Kayefi, baba to sure, abeg help me free this small pikin”. “Anti Boli, that one no possible o, e no fit happen”, he responded. She begged him and pleaded on account that he was small and not yet wise. After much pleading, Kayefi agreed and said “Anti Boli,because na you o, wallahi, if no be say we be padi, I for don send this pikin go Baba God side”. The boy was set free, and he prostrated himself before Adetoun, thanking her with tears in his eyes. She told the boy to accompany her and he did so.

At her stand, she quizzed the boy about his life and family. There, she learnt that his name was Abayomi, he was an orphan and he was living on the streets. She agreed to take him in like a younger brother, if he promised to behave. He joyfully agreed, and so, Adetoun really had someone to call family. Soon, after she could see that Abayomi was behaving well, she got a JAMB form for him and she made him sit for it and other necessary exams. Abayomi passed and was admitted into the University of Lagos to study Law; Adetoun’s joy knew no bounds.

Over the days, everything was going smoothly and Adetoun was enjoying her simple life selling boli and epa. One morning, as Adetoun was dressing up, she felt a slight pain in her left breast and saw that a lump was on her breast. She thought it was an insect bite, and she went to rub some shea butter on the affected area. Every day, she rubbed the area with shea butter. After a week, she woke up to see that the nipple of that breast was giving out a bloody discharge. She was scared, and she quickly made her way to the hospital. After waiting for an hour, the doctor finally attended to her. She explained her situation to the doctor, and he told her that she would have to get a mammogram. The mammogram was conducted shortly, and she was told to wait in the doctor’s office for the results. The doctor came back after thirty minutes with some papers in his hand.

“Ma’am, after the mammogram, we have discovered what exactly is behind your symptoms”, he said. “Okay, what is wrong with me doctor? “, she asked; he told her she would have to be calm to hear the results. By now, Adetoun was very tense; the doctor finally said “Ma’am, you have stage two breast cancer”. For two minutes, Adetoun was in shock and didn’t utter a word, then she burst into tears amidst cries of “Doctor, why me? This can’t be true, who have I offended? ”. The doctor tried his best to console her, and when she was a little bit calm, she asked “Doctor, please, what exactly is the solution to this?”, the doctor replied “Ma’am, you’d have to undergo a surgery in two weeks from now. ” The doctor explained that she could either go for a lumpectomy or a mastectomy, and he told her to eat some specific foods before the surgery. He also advised her not to worry as the survival rate was high. The doctor then stated that the hospital fee for the surgery was five hundred thousand naira. Adetoun’s eyes almost bulged out of her sockets when she heard this, but she didn’t say anything.

Adetoun was not herself when she got home. She took a walk down the streets, and started thinking about how she would raise the money for her treatment. She called Abayomi and broke the sad news to him; Abayomi was very unhappy but he assured her that they would get the money and she would eventually be fine.

The next day, Adetoun sold some of her belongings and raised a hundred thousand naira. She also went to meet a friend, who borrowed her hundred thousand naira too. Abayomi came home to see his sister, and to inform her that he had borrowed three hundred thousand naira. Adetoun wasn’t too happy as she didn’t want to burden Abayomi, but she thanked him. Abayomi stayed with Adetoun throughout the two weeks before her surgery. Many people in the town stopped by Adetoun’s place to ask after her.

Time flew so quickly, and the day of the operation arrived. Adetoun and Abayomi exchanged tearful farewells as Adetoun was wheeled into the theatre room. Abayomi was praying and pacing around nervously. After what seemed liked forever, the doctor came out of the theatre room, and Abayomi ran to meet him. “Doctor, what of my sister, how is she?”, the doctor shook his head with pity in his eyes and said “I’m sorry but she couldn’t make it”. Abayomi shook his head and said the doctor was lying, but the doctor reaffirmed the news. He sat on the floor and burst into tears, shouting for Adetoun. It was very painful, indeed, the loss of a sister and a benefactor. Later, Adetoun’s body was taken to the mortuary and Abayomi went home to give the sad news to the town people. The town mourned for Adetoun, for she had been kind to everyone in one way or another.

O-REY

Editorial: Slaying Begins at Home

In our world today, the concept of slay queens means

Top 10 Babcock University Graduates Making Great Moves in the Entertainment Industry

Babcock University has a history that dates back to 1959 when the Adventist College of West Africa was established. In 1999 it was granted full university status and became Babcock University. The university is named in honour of American missionary, David C. Babcock. Babcock was known for his contribution to the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Nigeria in 1914. There are six faculties within the university: computing and engineering sciences, education and humanities, law and security studies, management sciences, public and allied health, and science and technology. Each faculty is divided into different departments, which offer a range of undergraduate degree programmes. The university is home to two schools, the school of nursing sciences and the Veronica Adeleke school of social sciences. There is also the Benjamin Carson College of Medicine which provides medical education to students. The College of Postgraduate Studies offers three types of programmes for students seeking to further develop their education: postgraduate diploma, master’s and doctorate degree. The university is located in Ikenne, a region in Ogun State, southwestern Nigeria. Babcock University is a prestigious private Christian university located in Ogun state south west Nigeria, Ogun state is a rapidly developing state in Nigeria and is bordered by Lagos State and Oyo State. The University is owned by the Seven day Adventist church in Nigerian which aims at grooming its students in Knowledge and character so they are useful to the society. The university programs cutting across agriculture, Medicine, engineering, law, science and technology, Arts, social and Management sciences.

As aforementioned, Babcock University has produced several prominent personalities in Nigeria. While some of these personalities have become incredibly successful Nigerian Entertainment Industry, others are also successful in other works of life in no particular order.

1. Buju (Now BNXN)

Daniel Benson is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and producer. He was born in 1997 in Gbagada, Lagos State but he is from Akwa Ibom. In February 2018, Buju released his first song ‘Catch a Vibe’ and later dropped his second song ‘A Day in Lagos’ which gave him recognition on Soundcloud and social media. ‘Spiritual with Zlatan Ibile is BNXN’s breakthrough into the Nigerian music industry. Burna Boy signed him in 2020 after the grammy award winning artist listened to his song ‘L’enu’ in club. BNXN drops his first EP in 2021 titled ‘Sorry I’m Late’, after which he has worked with several big names in Nigeria music Industry including Wizkid, and Timaya.

2. Adenike Akinsemolu

Adenike Akinsemolu is a passionate environmental educator and author of numerous studies, which have appeared in reputable publications. Her passion for the environment propelled her to study Environmental Microbiology at doctoral level. Study environmental microbiology in Babcock University. She's an environmental microbiologist by profession. She attended other schools like Federal University of Technology, Obafemi Awolowo University.

3. Davido

David Adedeji Adeleke (born November 21, 1992), popularly known as Davido, is an Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer. Davido blends traditional African elements with global mainstream pop. The 29 years old singer gained admission into Babcock University in the year 2011 and graduated in the year 2015 studied music as a course. He's a singer , songwriter and a record producer by profession. He attended other schools like British International School,Oakwood University.

4. Beverly Osu

Beverly Osu was born on September 27, 1992, in Lagos State where she grew up although she is from Delta State, Nigeria. She attended Daughters of Divine Love Convent, Enugu state before gaining admission into Babcock University to study Mass Communication. Due to personal reasons, she dropped out of Babcock University and enrolled at the National Open University. The 29 years old Actress is also a Model and A vixen by profession.

5. Alex Usifo

Alex Usifo is a famous Nollywood actor, director, producer, investor, entrepreneur and a philanthropist. He was born on 16th April 1953 in Lagos State in the western part of Nigeria to Mr. Barnabas Usifo and Mrs. Patricia Usifo. He is currently 64 years old. His father worked with the Central Bank of Nigeria at different branches in the country and rose to a managerial level before retirement. The 69 years old Actor studied information Resources management and graduated from Babcock University in the year 2016. He attended other schools like John Bosco's Grammar School, Ubianja Ambrose Ali University, Ladoke Akintol University of Technology.

6. Chioma Rowland

Chioma Avril Rowland (born May 1, 1995) is an excellent Nigerian chef, model, online media star, and business visionary. Chioma Avril Rowland is an undeniably gifted individual. On her social media pages, she frequently shows off her cooking abilities. The celebrity is also a model who has worked with several well-known Nigerian brands. The 27years old Celebrity studied Economics in Babcock University.

7. Olumide Oworu

Olumide Oworu (born December 11, 1994) is a Nigerian actor, model and rapper. Olumide attended King’s College, Lagos and the University of Lagos. He recently graduated from Babcock University in June 2017. Olumide commenced his acting career at the age of six with the television series Everyday People. He is also known for his role as ‘Tari’ in the Africa Magic Series ‘The Johnsons’. He starred in other television series such as The Patriot, The Men In Her Life, Hammer, Stolen Waters and New Son. The 28 years old Actor is also a Model and Rapper by profession.

8. Priscilla Ojo

Priscilla Ajoke Ojo is popularly known as Its.Priscy on her social media accounts. Priscilla Ajoke Ojo is rated on social media as the most popular and influential celebrity kid in Nigeria today Priscilla Ojo (born 13th March, 2001) is a beautiful daughter of popular Yoruba actress and producer Iyabo Ojo. Priscilla is also an actress, entrepreneur and model.Priscilla Ojo is a young Nigerian actress making names for herself in the Nollywood movie industry. As young as she is, the beautiful actress has made huge amount of money from her acting career. The 21 years old Actress gained admission into Babcock University in the year 2017, studied Theater Arts and graduated in the year 2021. She is also a Model and an entrepreneur by profession.

9. Olúwadámilọ́lá Adédọlápọ̀ Amínù (Minz)

Dami Aminu (Olúwadámilọ́lá Adédọlápọ̀ Amínù), who is popularly known as Mobz, is a Nigerian recording artist and producer from Lagos. He has found his comfort zone in the current Afrobeat wave but he will continue to grow. His infusion of other sounds: trap, highlife, reggae forms the foundation of an end goal of contributing to and maybe changing the African soundscape while creating as much content as possible. The 30 years old music Artist studied International Law Diplomacy in Babcock University.

10. Yewande Adekoya

Yewande Adekoya is a Nigerian actress, filmmaker known for her role in the movie Omo Elemosho, a 2012 film that featured Bimbo Oshin, Muyiwa Ademola and Yomi Fash-Lanso. She was born and raised in Lagos State, but originally hails from Ososa-Ijebu in Ogun State southwestern Nigeria. She began acting in 2002 with Alphabash Music And Theatre Group. She scripted and produced her first content in 2006 titled “Life Secret”. The 39 years old Actress studied Mass communication in Babcock University. She also studied in other schools like Bright Star Nursery and Primary school, Bright Star Comprehensive High School. You can read Yewande Adekoya’s full biography here.

Conclusion

The

Opinion: Whose Fault is Suicide?

Max opens the bottle of sniper before him. He wants to make this quick before the arrival of Dave, his roommate who had bought a bottle of Sniper to kill insects such as the mosquitoes and the bedbugs that had ravaged the room lately. He had carefully hidden it under his mattress for safety, but Max saw it.

As Max bends the bottle and lifts his mouth towards its direction, Dave comes knocking at the door violently. He had sensed some strange feelings within him and was moved to check back. He looks through some spaces between the louvres and sights Max attempting suicide. Furiously, he finds a huge stone nearby and breaks the door wide open. He quickly hijacks the deadly content from Max who suddenly breaks down in tears.

Max just suffered a heart break in the past week. He still finds it difficult to believe that Michelle could leave him just like that all because he couldn't meet all her needs. As if that isn't enough, his final year results was released just three days after the breakup and he was just an inch below his desired grade. For him, the world had come to an end! And life will no longer be rosy.
The reasons behind a teen's suicide or attempted can be complex.

Young people with mental health problems such as ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, BIPOLAR DISORDER stand at higher risk for suicidal thoughts. Several factors contribute to suicidal thoughts. Such as institutional factors, parental laxity and disappointment from friends and acquaintances but I posit that the ONLY person who is to blame for teen suicide is the kid who commits it.

Suicide/suicidal thoughts can be viewed as an act of selfishness and self - centeredness. Can you imagine how much your friends and parents look up to you and enjoy your company? Hence, you make them sad because you think only about yourself
WATCH OUT! Help someone out there who exhibits suicidal symptoms such as isolation, negative speeches and expressions about life, lack of concentration, suspiciously giving out most treasured things, write-ups on guilt and sad experiences.

Engage a victim in a calm and non-accusatory communication, express loving concern and embrace them often while instilling the hope for a brighter future.

5 Ways to Ensure the Inclusion of PWDs in Our Society

Editorial: A Paradigm Shift in the Right Direction?

Advocacy for Youth Involvement in Governance puts much Emphasis on Age, not Capacity - Ekpa Stanley Ekpa

Ekpa, Stanley, Ekpa a practising lawyer and Director of the Development Watch Initiative shares in this interview, his thoughts on youths, governance and leadership

NNI: Can we meet you?

Guest: My name is Ekpa, Stanley Ekpa. I am a lawyer and a Master’s in Leadership Studies student at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna. I specialize in Development Law. I am currently the Editor-in-Chief, Nigerian Corruption Cases Law Report, and Nigerian Democracy and Development Report. I serve as the Executive Director, Development Watch Initiative. I have peculiar interest in Good Governance, Leadership, Development Law, Social Inclusion and Nation building.

NNI: What defines social development and impactful leadership for you?

Guest: Social development is achieved when people become the primary factor in a society or a nation’s development processes. The promotion of the inclusion of all components of the society – empowering the poor, vulnerable, minorities and giving hope and opportunities to the voiceless citizens. While impactful leadership is the ability to translate collective aspirations and priorities into significant and sustainable solutions for the development of our community, people and the world.

NNI: In building a society where the quality of things we do defines us, how responsible is leadership?

Guest: Everything revolves around leadership, from building strong and efficient institutions to building infrastructures, leadership is the undercurrent that provides the water of hope and opportunities for creating the equilibrium for the quality of things that define us both as a people and as individuals. Unfortunately, you cannot get quality leadership unless you have quality citizenship. Good citizenship that works through the entire circles of development of the nation – upholding the right value system, ensuring that the right leaders are elected, and holding the leaders accountable. This is the easiest way to prompt responsible leadership and ensure social development.

NNI: How have you managed leadership positions with other duties?

Guest: Leadership, or rather taking responsibility for my immediate communities has always been everything about me. Yes I have. Though in most cases it is very tough, but in all the cases, it gives me a unique opportunity to understand the diversities that the two tasks presents in proffering personal and social solutions from two dimensions.

NNI: It is usually said that a leader must be a follower. Is this realistic?

Guest: It is a truism that has it’s realistic result in practice. A good follower is passionately committed and deeply involved, giving him the chance to develop empathy, compassion and keen interest in the common situation and need of the people, community or organization. When such follower transcends to leadership position, it becomes easy to make significant impact given his or her understanding of the need of the community and his or her imbued leadership savvy. More importantly, such leader leads sometimes from behind, by positioning and delegating responsibility to others and supervising their works, results and impact.

NNI: Is leadership a mix of different skills? What exactly makes up complete leadership?

Guest: Leadership is a mix of infused skills and discipline for impact. Great leadership is about the creative balance between visions, strategic planning, collaboration and inclusion, performance and results, accountability, disciplined character of excellence, tolerance, and communication.

NNI: What inspired your book, Youthocracy, ''Leadershift'' for Development?

Guest: The advocacy for youth involvement in socio-political governance and cultural revolution was taking an unnecessary emphasis on age and not the capacity of the emerging leaders to proffer creative and sustainable solutions for the world’s complex challenges, particularly in Africa, hence, I felt the need to champion a new thinking in the desire to usher in a new generation of leaders.

For the past three decades, African leaders have failed to build a continent that provides the opportunities for inclusive prosperity and security. If the Africa Agenda 2063 would be actualized, it means that it is the young people whose future the agenda seeks to protect that can build it, not the generation that failed the continent for the last sixty years.

Hence, the crux of the discourse and philosophy of the book is on how to identify, build, galvanize and leverage a new generation of leaders for the development of their communities. How to get involved, win elections and do the work you elected to do right other critical issues that the book addressed.

NNI: By global trends, there is a call for youths to take leadership. How best can a youth position himself to be worthy of leadership?

Guest: First, leadership is not a tea party particularly if you are out to solve problems and make impact through leadership. But positioning yourself as a worthy option for for leadership consideration is even more challenging in developing electoral climes like Nigeria. However, to every problem there is always myriads of available solutions.

To me, building capacity either by learning or participation starts by building your personal leadership brand, building creative values of social solutions, building a strong network of like minds, being a problem solver no matter how small the solution, and working through the ladder to strategically position for great leadership.

On a more practical note, one can either position for leadership by leaning on the shoulders of great leaders through positive god-fatherism, or disrupt the political space to make a way for himself. The latter is more difficult a means, for it requires working beyond the limit line.

NNI: What is the measure of good leadership? Do you think social impact can be measured?

Guest: Good governance is measured on the scale of social impact. The aggregate dividends of your leadership as enjoyed by the people. It is easy to measure leadership impact because it is about the people and the community. The result of your leadership can be felt either negatively or positively by the people. Though social impact takes time to materialize sometimes but it is never hidden when it finally arrives.

By measuring good leadership I do not mean state sponsored billboards and media propaganda, no, I mean an impactful result that can be felt by the deaf, and seen even by the blind. I would have loved to use such economic indicators like GDP, inflation among others but in the end analysis, when the people are hungry and left behind without social security, we have failed the society.

Read: Family Plays a Great Role in Language Appreciation - Olagunju Modupe

NNI: What do you do at the Development Watch Initiative?

Guest: We are a citizen sector initiative that is committed to engaging the citizens to make inputs in the development processes of their constituencies and holding their leaders accountable. We promote citizens’ participation in monitoring the implementation of Nigeria’s developmental projects, budgets and policies from the local government level to the national level. Currently we are working on the COVID-19 REPORT, which is a comprehensive insight and report on Nigeria’s response, policies, palliatives and impact.

We have other programmes running, like our ”Enterprise Clinic” which exposes students across Nigerian academic institutions to job, entrepreneurial and leadership skills and opportunities. Our next training circle is slated for Sokoto, Oyo, Lagos, Kano, Anamabra, Rivers, Abuja and Cross River. We also have the Get Involved Challenge, Constituency Development Town Halls, among other projects.

NNI: What is your view on Global Youth Development and growth? Do you think we are making progress?

Guest: Yes, we are making progress. The United Nations has continued to create broad opportunities for the involvement of young people in actualizing the SDGs 2030. Domestically, the Not Too Young To Run Act 2018 has given much impetus and limited opportunity for young people to participate in the political space, as the huge financial requirements and commercialization of our politics continue to hinder their chances. Notwithstanding this, the 2019 general elections witnessed an increase in the number of elected young people to local governments, state assemblies and federal Parliament. Many young people have been given appointive positions both in the political and corporate sectors.

So, to me I think we are making progress, it is now within our arms as young people to get strategic and position ourselves through creative common council of like minds, support ourselves and collectively make our societies work for the next generation.

NNI: How did you achieve the fusion of your personal brand name ''Ekpa Stanley, Ekpa'' into your love for promising leadership and sustainable development?

Guest: I realized early in life that there is an inseparable relationship between law, leadership and sustainable development. This prompted my interest to study law even when I didn’t understand the proper places of these concepts and factors in social development. It was however my late mother that taught me the value of a man’s name. Ever since, I have tried my best to approach everyday of my life with sincere commitment to how my work (law, community organizing and leadership) would significantly impact my community, country and humanity.

I cherish my brand “Ekpa, Stanley Ekpa” so much that I work everyday to grow, improve and leverage it as a reliable source and Centre for national inclusivity, development solutions, cultural revolution and an ideological stand point for Nigeria’s future generations.

NNI: What is your advice to fellow young individuals?

Guest: My advice is very simple – young people must have the sense of ownership of their communities, be creative, resilient, and resolved to succeed against all odds and challenges. It is a tough and difficult world, but if you remain on your lane and timeline without comparing yourself to other people’s standards for success, your chances are high that you will become even more the person you aspire to be.

NNI: What should we expect from you in the near future? Any intention to go into full time politics? Any bigger plans?

Guest: (Laughs) Well, I am a very intentional person. I know that the only way to build the kind of country we aspire for is to get involved politically, and I know for certain that I will go into politics. And if by full time you mean committing and applying myself to my constituency and humanity without compromise, then I can assure you that I will do that full time without regret.

I believe this is my time to prepare myself for competence, leadership savvy and excellence in statecraft. I am confident our generation will turn things around but we must be prepared for the great task, for we must not fail Nigeria and the next generation of Nigerians. We are called to fix and provide hope, opportunities and direction for the new Nigeria.

What is a nation without her history? What is the present without the past? The action of time does not allow for such gaps. Nigeria, as we know it now is not what it used to be centuries ago. The country has undergone massive changes in all spheres of life. The rate of population growth has increased exponentially alongside the rate of crime. The world of technology is gaining more recognition even as some brains are responding positively to the law of diminishing returns. It seems as if there’s a negative reaction for every positive action but it is all a matter of the state of one’s mind.

Nevertheless, the world stood still on that day, October 1st, 1960, when Nigeria gained her independence and waved her flag of freedom proudly with a wink to the British government. Finally, we’d have our own indigenous rulers. We would have the chance to tell our story in our own words and our language. Of course, freedom is good but what good is freedom when slavery still roams the streets? Are we still slaves? No, we’re not- to the British government. Still, slavery thrives in a free land. You want proof? Then, you are not far from the truth, citizen. Read on.

Bandits abduct students, kill villagers- ring any bells? It should. This is one of the stories in the news you won’t miss each week. How did bandits gain so much control? When did they become such notorious celebrities? This is bad news for the country whose anthem’s line goes thus: “Help our youth the truth to know”. I suppose you’ll be making youth like machines or importing them like AK-47 after all of them have been abducted. I wonder where you’ll get a supply of future leaders. Even if there are youth in the affected parts, they will be half baked because no parent would want to send their child(ren) to school with their hearts in their mouths as to whether they would return home safely. These people are forced to live in fear and these children have little or no education. Education, they say, is enlightenment. If they are not educated, they will have to submit to slavery, especially slavery of the mind.

Thunder strikes but some unions strike better. Nigerian students, you’ve not been forgotten. I believe every citizen has the right to education-I don’t think this line works around here anymore. Every year, we always have one or two strike actions in the education sector to add a finishing touch to the year. If negotiations can be made with armed robbers or kidnappers in a matter of minutes or days, then I’m sure the government can negotiate peacefully and quickly with unions to avoid unnecessary delay in the academic journeys of students. It doesn’t speak too well on our integrities for us to lie when we fill forms asking us for the year of our graduation. I think it will be quite nice to have a definite picture of yourself as a Nigerian student in some years without thinking of extra school years, thanks to strike actions.

I have one last proof to show you that the behind-the-scenes of the pre-independence time are coming back with more sass and jazz. 20-10-20: Do you remember? Were you there? Was your brother hurt? Was your sister murdered? For me, it’s a yes. My brothers and sisters were hurt and murdered. They were injured while fighting for freedom. I see the fights and the struggles of our fathers coming back like part two of Black Panther. The #EndSars protest rocked the country in ways we could never have imagined. Our eyes were opened to see the silent sufferings of Nigerians. Why should we live in fear of those who are supposed to protect us? Sounds to me like slavery, alright. To think that our lives are at the mercy of some armed men and women- that is unacceptable. We didn’t gain independence to wake up to another hello from slavery.

Do you remember those brave men and women who fought for our independence- standing firm like the ìrókò tree rooted deep in the Nigerian soil? They knew what they were trying to chase away; they understood that the umbrella of slavery was an illusion- it was not the real deal. So, they laboured with hopes that it wouldn’t be in vain, according to the national anthem. It is quite a pity that slavery was only abolished on paper. These are my thoughts and this is my country.

Celebrating International Women's Day 2023

"The story of women's struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organisation but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights." International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women - while also marking a call to action for accelerating gender balance.

Balance is not a women issue. It's a world issue.The fact is things should be changing . Its never about which gender is better, but it is more about dismantling patriarchal systems, changing mindset, unlearning misogyny.

Stereotypes are being challenged and more diverse representation of women is more evident. The race is on for the gender-balanced boardroom, a gender-balanced government, gender-balanced media coverage, a gender-balanced of employees, more gender- balanced in wealth, gender-balanced sports coverage , a gender- balanced world. Gender balance is essential for economies and communities to thrive.
Collective action and shared responsibility for driving a gender-balanced world is key. Everyone has a part to play- everywhere, every time.
Some key targets of the 2030 Agenda includes

By 2030, ensuring that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and Goal-4 effective learning outcomes.
By 2030, ensuring that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and preprimary education so that they are ready for primary education.

Ending all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.

Eliminating all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking, sexual and other types of exploitation.

Eliminating all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.

We've indeed come a long way. From International women's day theme 2015 "Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity" Picture it!, to time is up and 2019 theme being balance for better.
There is still a continuing need worldwide for more progressive mindsets and inclusive behaviors to be forged. We've indeed come a long way but still have mountain to climb. To all the strong women, heroine, Icons, and girl child. There's still more to do than breathing. Continue breaking barrier, shattering glasses and going beyond the status quo. Here's to the exciting future of building a gender balanced world. Better the world, better the balance.

International Women's Day

Opinion: Do You Still Give out Your Trust?

Who do you trust?

If you ask me this question, I would reel out a lot of secrets to you and leave you to deduce the answer yourself. I actually find it hard to trust people myself; I mean my feelings or even my things, my integrity and whatever concerns me. If I trust you, it has to be that you have earned it based on what you have done or been through and I know what you are capable of doing. However, I hear some trust people based on their confessions; I mean what they say they are capable of doing. Well, mine is not so. For me to trust you, I must have my evidence. Don’t judge me, it’s my opinion.

Some people say I am a difficult person and that I will find it hard to get in a relationship because I find it hard to trust people. However, my belief is that relationships are built on trust and that any relationship void of trust in the participants will crumble.

My attitude towards trust is as a result of my past experience. I have trusted people with my deepest thoughts, thoughts that made me cry, thoughts that make me feel down casted. I have trusted people and really, a trial has convinced me.

I had a hard time in my third year in school; things were so bad that money was a very scarce commodity. It was the time Nigeria was going through a serious economic recession with huge debts of school fees to pay. I could tell no one of the difficulties I was going through. I tried a lot of things I thought could help but all was futile with. Then, I found someone I could call a friend. He claimed to have been through my predicament while he was in school. His own experience was even worse than mine that I began pitying. Then and there did I conclude that I was better off than some people while some are better than me; this is the Irony of life.

My so called friend has been a leader for years and also stood in the position of counseling young undergraduate students while he was in school. He was highly revered and recommended to be capable of holding any leadership post. All these summed up the bases for my judgment that he could be trusted. The fact that he had experienced my present situation added to my trust in him.

I reeled out my problems to him with the hope that I could lean on him for advice. I told him of the difficulties I had only for Him to spill out my secrets in public. He was the first to accuse me of my inabilities which was due to my financial in capabilities. I had little to finance my daily needs and was left with little to fund other needs and he made me a scapegoat publicly. I felt betrayed and disappointed. I looked into his eyes and all I could see was betrayal. I could not say anything against him because he already knew my secrets to the marrow. I blamed myself for telling him too much about me. I could not say anything for I had broken down my entire defence with my hands.

Trust, an abstract which you develop in someone or something based on an evidence of what they have done or is capable of doing is built overtime.

My trust in people has been breached overtime that giving it out to people require a lot of thinking. Someone once told me that I might find it hard to fall in love, well I don't know yet but we all at one time in our lives have experienced the same ordeal in different ways.

However, experience they say is the best teacher but the best and more profitable way to learn is from the experience of other people who have attained certain level of maturity. It is better to always give people an element of doubt that they could breach your trust in them some day so that when they do, you would not have an heart break that could totally mar you but at least a heart that will be amendable………………..my opinion, what do you think?

Power: Looking Towards Heavens (Solar energy) and Earth (coal &Hydroenergy)

Solar energy, radiation from the Sun capable of producing heat, causing chemical reactions, or generating electricity. The total amount of solar energy incident on Earth is vastly in excess of the world’s current and anticipated energy requirements. In the 21st century solar energy is expected to become increasingly attractive as a renewable energy source because of its inexhaustible supply and its nonpolluting character, in stark contrast to the finite fossil fuels coal, petroleum, and natural gas.

The history of hydropower dates back thousands of years. For example, the Greeks used water wheels to grind wheat into flour more than 2,000 years ago. The evolution of the modern hydropower turbine began in the mid-1700s when a French hydraulic and military engineer, Bernard Forest de Bélidor, wrote Architecture Hydraulique. Many key developments in hydropower technology occurred during the first half of the 19th century, and more recently, the past century has seen a number of hydroelectric advancements.Hydropower technologies generate power by using the elevation difference, created by a dam or diversion structure, of water flowing in on one side and out, far below, on the other.

The benefits of hydropower have been recognized and harnessed for thousands of years. In addition to being a clean and cost-effective form of energy, hydropower plants can provide power to the grid immediately, serving as a flexible and reliable form of backup power during major electricity outages or disruptions. Hydropower also produces a number of benefits outside of electricity generation, such as flood control, irrigation support, and water supply.

This 'N' factor has multiple meanings to every citizen around the country. This is basically because of the diverse way of life and that apparently there are different situations we find ourselves in everyday.

In this case, the Nigerian factor to me are the blames and excuses that most Nigerians give for their deliberate and unintentional failures plus indulging in self concern over public service , well it happens to the best of us. I once had a friend who hit a motorcycle with her car but afterwards put the blame on this 'Nigerian factor- ish' I didn't care to listen to her reasons after all she would also have her own share of the blame to take but she isn't ready to accept it. It is typical.

This blame game has been on since the inception of Nigeria. Let me break this down, the masses blame the leaders for abandoning the law and being unjust to them and the leaders then blame them for not been their agent of the basic change. Basically the faults come from both parties, cause our leaders have not been responsible and the followers do not exercise their rights.

The people have the rights to throw anyone out of leadership position however when this is done, it still end up being the wrong choice— voting the 'better candidate' that would also end up betraying us. This betrayal factor has disoriented the people on a long run, hence during elections, selling of votes to collect Money, Rice or Vegetable Oil will inevitably take place. One that ground, most people blame Nigerians for the miseries they found themselves in.

However, it is phenomenal to say that most Nigerians who live in abject poverty wouldn't have a cause to reject the offers, most people have existential needs they have to cater for; they have problems with what to eat, where to sleep and what to wear. If someone is hungry and is offered food in return for his vote won't he succumb. So all these boils down to the leaders who do not use the power entrusted in them to restructure the society. In addition to that, take a look at advanced countries where poverty/hunger are of little percentage. No matter how poor they are in the US, you can't see them walking Barefooted, having big stomach big heads or half unclad, so it's not like there is no poverty over there, there's poverty everywhere, it just that there are levels to this things. Hence their politicians can't entice them with Burgers or Ice cream. Consequently, until we conquer hunger, voters will continue to be lured into this impulse. All these wars our leaders were supposed to fight for us.

I really do not want this post to be based on corruption and all— we've had enough of that but then I remember while I was in high school, we used to have this weekly debate I can't recollect the topic but the whole thing was based on Corruption. During the debate, a speaker made this statement ''I'm corrupt, you are corrupt'' It brought about a lot of noise from every corner of the hall, we were intrigued, why did he say this? what does he want to prove? Am I also corrupt?— these questions begged for answers...

He was right afterall, aren't we all guilty of corruption, from failing to obey traffic light, jumping of queue in the bank, bribery and anything else you can think of. This may be normal or minor to most people but it still doesn't change the subject. Nevertheless the professional looters (politicians) are the ones that is so evil to us. To be candid, shouldn't we share the Blame? the blame for always voting corrupt politicians into power, the blame for being too quiet for too long, we cry out to God in worship places instead of crying out to our oppressors. Everyone keep minding their own business yet we are oblivious of the fact that, there cannot be personal salvation in the midst of collective damnation!

We can continue on and on but the underlying fact is that our leaders are not responsible. They have turned government institutions into profit oriented investments. They turned government affairs to Businesses. Don't even talk about our Judicial system it's another discussion for another good day! They are unconcerned about the welfare of the masses, rather they run after their own bellies. They quenched every bit of chauvinism in us. it's not a big deal if you are a Nigerian! No patriotism. We have nothing to be proud of. Besides do the people still believe in the 'Nigerian nation' I have been challenged by the fact that the government is an extension of our filthy society after all every public officer comes from that primary cause: Family. Well, that is a very sad excuse while it might be partly true because we have our own shortcomings but everyone is responsible for their failure, although the society might have impact on you, it's still left for you to determine the values you want to hold on to.

In a nutshell, leadership reflects followership, everyone of us has a role to play. Leadership shapes followership and our leaders have a major impact to play and not put blames on the masses rather they should save the people from themselves, not sink them deeper into corrupt situations. They should lead by example and watch the blame shift drastically. However, without this popular JFK saying I wouldn't be fulfilled with this post — ''ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country"

On this note, I'd like to appease Nigerians not to give up. It's too late, it's too early. Why would you even think about giving up in the first place, she's all you've got! I wouldn't preach about change to you here. Nonetheless, you just have to believe 'cause, If not us, who? If not now, when?

At a time when the drive for better inclusion of a marginalized section of society (Persons with Disabilities) is gaining speed the world over, it is sad to witness religious institutions (by their very nature and calling supposed to be shining examples in this just cause) acting with apparent indifference.

Whether this is happening unintentionally or otherwise, I do not know. One thing I know: the situation calls for urgent redress.

In June last year, I was at the headquarter church of one the country’s leading Pentecostal denominations for Sunday worship service. It was my first time. Among the features that caught my attention on that first visit was the sheer size of the location, the state of the art equipment in use, the warm welcome of public relations staff, the fine show of opulence (children of the King are not supposed to be poor), and the generally conducive ambience. With these and more on ground, i was eager to settle down to quality time in Divine fellowship.

Alas, that wasn’t to be.

Fustration began when I made it clear to attendants that as a deaf person, I required sign language interpretation to easily assimilate spoken communication. In other words, without it, I couldn’t really benefit from the sermon and other parts of the service.

Ordinarily, one would expect the headquarter church of a denomination of such status to have ready arrangements to cater to the language needs of all kind of attendees at any given time. Also, it is a “no-brainer” that this mammoth religious organization has the capacity for that – and more. So, I was both surprised and disappointed to discover that in that audience numbering into hundred of thousands, there couldn’t be found interpreting services for the deaf and hard of hearing. I will never forget the rollercoaster of emotions of embarrassment, indignation, and disappointment I experienced that day.

The matter got more ridiculous when it became clear that even the ushers were not sure whether or not there was provision for such special need. I still recall an usher walking me almost the circumference of that expansive auditorium asking for, I will say, a nonexistent section for the Deaf.

At the end of the stress and embarrassment, all I got were some pacifying words.

Although it’s almost a year since that encounter, I am still trying to grasp why one couldn’t find a deaf person in that huge crowd of worshippers. Even if there was, there was no sure way to tell. Furthermore, the various responses and reactions clearly showed that these people are not used to having deaf brethren in their worship meetings. One may therefore understand why they appeared clueless in such situation.

Years earlier, I had a similar experience at a branch of same church where I again happened to be the lone deaf person. After much frustration, I somehow took the matter to the head pastor. Unfortunately, nothing concrete came out of it.

PERTINENT QUESTIONS

At this point, some pressing questions arise. Why, for example, was there no single deaf person in those congregations? Could it be that no deaf person is interested in worshipping there? I don’t think so. Again, could it be that the church inadvertently threw them out through non-chalant attitudes – no provision for their language needs, for example? As if to validate this reasoning, among the three or so top church names in the country, this is the only one of which I have heard practically nothing about a deaf section/ deaf persons. Oddly enough, a friend once said that this particular church has a policy of not accommodating deaf worshippers – insisting on the power of God to heal all infirmities. Well, I choose not to believe such outrageous claim until it is proven beyond doubt. My position is that in the mix of things is a lack of vital information, proper enlightenment and correct orientation that could have made a world of difference.

By beaming a searchlight on possible reasons for the marked absence of deaf brethren in that congregation of believers, we will understand that this kind of thing don’t just happen. It follows the law of cause and effect – some of which we may not know. From the known, I offer a fact: “It is unreasonable to expect a people whose unique communication needs have not been provided for to happy in, or want to be in any type of gathering – not the least, religious ones. I write from experience.

Let’s be clear about it, this unsavory non-inclusion of a disadvantaged minority in our worship places isn’t limited to one big name church. It cuts across churches, mosques, etc.

Nor is the case being made only for deaf persons and sign language interpreting services. No! It covers just about every cluster of People with Disabilities (PWDs) whose rights and human dignity are being denied/trampled on one way or the other. Consequently, there’s a steady build up of a disgruntled set of worshippers who feel ignored disrespected and insulted. This is a dangerous trend that needs to be checked.

What’s more, if we will see it for what it is, this subtle injustice stands in stark contrast to the spirit and letters of the holy writs of all the religions.

CHARTING THE WAY FORWARD

In recommending the way out of the present quagmire, we need to be fair.

“He that comes to the table of equity must come with clean hands”.

We need to acknowledge that this subject of inclusion is a knotty one – complex and complicated. It should be mentioned too, that either side could be at fault in this matter. Most often than not, the conflicts, dissatisfactions, blame trading and grudge bearing driving the “Inclusion narrative” have their root in a lack of enlightenment on the subject of disability, ignorance, ‘far off the mark' assumptions and speculations, differences in perspectives, poor awareness level, prejudice and other indices of human failings and limitations.

Personally, I hold the belief that people are basically good (more so, from the context of places of worship where godliness and piety is the norm) and wouldn’t just go about hurting feelings and infringing on rights of PWDs. You see, when good humans derail and offend in this matter, it’s often because they don’t know how to navigate this rather tricky terrain, so rife with sensitive egos, stereotypes and fragile emotions. Notwithstanding, in law, as they say, ignorance is not an excuse. So, here’s the home truth: “our places of worship need to invest on getting educated and enlightened on the subject of Disability and PWDs. Both leaders and laity need it.

Expert knowledge and advice should be sought from Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and other reliable sources.

Recommendations should be implemented with efficiency.

Special trainings and seminars should be held.

There should be brainstorming sessions where experts in various fields of human endeavors bounce off ideas on the way forward.

An important caveat though: the people in the eye of the storm, namely, PWDs, should be carried along every step of the way.

Despite being a minority, the case of these marginalized persons is worth all due attention. And I’m convinced our religious stakeholders are fair-minded enough to grasp the substance of the parable of the shepherd with a hundred sheep leaving the ninety and nine to seek the one that went astray.

Enough of this subtle non-inclusion.