Tuesday, 17 June 2025

June 12, 1993: The Annulled Hope of the Common Man

In the history of Nigeria till date, the freest and fairest election according to history was conducted on the 12th of June, 1993. On this day, the whole nation trooped down in their hundreds and thousands to cast their vote for their ideal candidates. Although the election was rendered inconclusive by an annulment, nevertheless, the Hope ’93; Farewell to Poverty was the song everyone chewed.
 
From Abeokuta, Ogun State to Epetedo, Lagos state to Onitsha, Bauchi, Anambra, Ibadan, Kano, Sokoto even down to Bashir Tofa’s hometown; the rainbow that adorned the sky was M.K.O Abiola’s gospel of free education, better healthcare system, freedom of expression amongst others. The excitement of Nigerians would later become a thing of shock when the then military government led by General Ibrahim Babangida annulled the election. This singular act ushered our beloved country into a cacophony of sorrow.
 
 
Later, that same year was power taken over by another military government led by Gen. Sanni Abacha who threw the common man’s Hope into confinement for four years with just a Bible, a Qur’an and 14 soldiers because of the proclamation in Epetedo, Lagos State where Abiola declared himself president.
Although, May 29 was the day the military officially handed over power but it is evident that the spirit behind June 12 can never be underestimated, it shows the real struggles for democracy. It shows the sincerity of our leaders to build a better nation, it shows mental awareness created.
We should remember today and every other day the line of our national anthem,
“…the labour of our leaders past shall never be in vain”.
We should remember all those that lay their lives down for the democracy we tread upon. We should remember the bloods and sweats of comrades that looked tyranny in the face and claimed for us democracy.
We should remember today as the day our nation opened its eyes to Hope.
ODEBODE, KARIMOT OLABISI
 

Dyslexia: One Disorder I DON’T MIND

I know the title of this article is quite strange. Do I really want to have a disorder? Probably not! Still, there is something that really intrigues me about this one.

Sometime back, I watched this Indian movie: ‘Like Stars on Earth’, and I have to say, that movie hurled me into a deep thought that totally transformed my mindset—and yes, it is an amazing Indian movie. Before watching it, I had heard of the learning disorder, dyslexia, but this movie
made me see it in a new light. ‘Like Stars on Earth’ is the story of a young boy who probably has
the most incredible and artistic mind I had ever seen—yet he had dyslexia, an impaired ability to
read and write. He could make amazing art out of anything—but words and numbers, not so
much. See, academically, he had the mind of an infant but artistically, his artwork spoke volumes. You can of course imagine how almost impossible it was to fit into the school system of learning and grading. He was constantly ridiculed and mocked until someone helped him discover his true potentials. After watching that movie, I went back to do a deep study on the
disorder. You should have guessed by now that this article is about Dyslexia. What really
prompted me to do this was when in the movie a good number of iconic personalities were listed
as having dyslexia: Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Agatha Christie, Pablo Picasso, and
Leonardo Da Vinci etc. My discovery completely blew me away! I encountered notable
personalities who I had previously never imagined having dyslexia, and all that kept
reverberating through my head was: What!!! How? What could possibly have made the difference? So after a lot of research, I came up with a thought that I just had to share. I need to note here that this article is a very passionate and thought provoking piece and will challenge some ideologies.

What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is simply an impaired ability to read and write. Generally, people with dyslexia appear bright and intelligent but are unable to read write or spell
well. It is not a behavior problem, though people often mislabel it as one; it is a learning
disorder. Writing is almost always incoherent – letters inverted, words misspelt or reversed etc.
(e.g. ‘b’ instead of a ‘d’, ‘tac’ instead of ‘cat’). It is often difficult to pronounce properly and read
as words often appear to ‘swim in the text’. Numbers as well suffer the same fate. Dyslexics find
it hard to exhibit ordinary motor skills like gripping a pencil and writing. Generally, dyslexia can
be helped but not cured and people who have dyslexia can only learn through creative learning techniques.

Famous Personalities with Dyslexia

The first thing that literally blew my mind was this long list of persons that have, had or are suspected of having dyslexia and I will list here just a few of them:
 Albert Einstein (record breaking IQ)
 Pablo Picasso (amazing artist)
 Tom Cruise (actor)
  Thomas Edison (the light bulb)
 Leonardo Da Vinci
 Agatha Christie (bestselling novelist)
 Alexander Graham Bell (the telephone)
 Walt Disney (animator)
 Winston Churchill (one of the greatest political leaders and Nobel prize winner)
 Steve Jobs (Apple)
 Ludwig van Beethoven (Classical pianist)
 George Washington
 Whoopi Goldberg (actress)
 Henry Ford
 Warren Buffet
 Nelson Rockefeller
Even Bill Gates admitted to having Dyslexia! Allow me to zero in on Agatha Christie for a
moment. She is my favorite writer of all-time. She specifically writes mystery and investigative
novels and among some of her most popular works are: ‘Murder on the Orient Express’, ‘The
Mysterious Affair at Styles’ and ‘The Murder of Roger Ackroyd’. And wait for it…her books are
outsold only by Shakespeare and the Bible! She holds the Guinness World Record of being the
bestselling novelist of all time. As a lover of mystery and investigative novels, I have yet to see

the kind of creativity she employs anywhere else, and after reading, I always think to myself, ‘what kind of mind could this have come from?’ Yet Agatha Christie had dyslexia. In her words, “I, myself, was always recognized…as the „slow one‟ in the family. Writing and spelling were always terribly difficult for me”. It is pretty mind blowing how such a renowned writer could have had difficulty reading and writing!

Like I said when I started, the question that really plagued my mind was ‘what could possibly have made the difference?’ because it pretty much seems like so many marks had been hit by people who have an impaired ability to read and write that many other ‘normal’ people haven’t even dreamed of. What exactly is the difference? Is there something here to learn? Could it be that dyslexia is a good thing? (I trust my fellow Nigerians to readily utter ‘tufiakwa – God forbid!’) But then, if there is an advantage that these guys have, why are we not seeing it and how to we exploit it so that across board, we can all make serious impact. I set out to answering these questions and I stumbled on a very ‘crazy’ thought (by crazy here, I mean unusual and rather remarkable). Here is what I think…



Uchenna Umeano is a freelance writer, from Anambra State.


5 Facts You Need to know about Body Physiotheraphy in Nigeria


Body physiotherapy, which is also known as physical therapy is a physical treatment that improves the mobility and function of the affected area in the body. This physical  treatment can be in form of movement and exercise,icing, hydrotherapy, massaging and so on. There are different kinds of physical therapy treatment depending on the kind of  disease you have. Physiotherapy can also be used to treat injuries,motor accident,joint pains, obesity, chronic and back pain.
 
Most people don't see the importance of physical therapy. They prefer to use the modern drugs prescribed by doctors than visiting the therapist. Below are five(5) facts you need to know about body phyiotherapy. 
 

1. It prevents Sports-related Injuries

Since it is said that some of the ways in which one can get the physical treatment is through movement and exercise therefore, it is clearly known that physiotherapy will sure prevent one from sports related injuries. 
 

2. It helps to improve overall strength

Physiotherapy helps in strengthening of bones and joints. If there's any  symptoms of weakness, it is advisable to visit the therapist and get yourself a physical treatment that'll help you get back your strength. 

3. It makes one depend less on medicines

As we all know, modern drugs do have side effects but physical therapy don't have. If going for physiotherapy will make me get heal with no side effects why should I go for the modern drugs then?
 

4.  It helps reduce pain or eliminate it completely

Going through therapy session will help reduce the pain in the affected area and in some cases it get them eliminated completely. The primary aim of physical therapy is to reduce  pain and make it able for the affected area to function well again without any form of pain in the future. 
 
 

5.  Helps patient to recover from stroke:

Physiotherapy will help  strengthen the part that got paralysed with  stroke and get it reformed and it begins to function just as the way it should. 

There are lots more facts about physiotherapy but this article gives the best  5. Read, digest and visit physiotherapist in order to get yourself treated with the physical treatment and say bye bye to vertigo, obesity, in any kind of pain. 

Global Warming and the Danger to the Planet

Global Warming and the Danger to the Planet


Global warming and the impact on planet

Across the world, global warming has become the trending topic people engage in most times. Due to the nature of global warming and how it affects billions of lives around the World, all leaders and government across the Nations in the World do meet regularly to discuss how to fight global warming and ways by which Countries of the World can embrace the Green House system and emission free society for good, Eco-friendly system.

Global warming has caused catastrophic climatic events and has keep on ravaging the whole Universe, annihilating entire Villages and Towns and causing a drastic effect on the oceans, rivers and crippled Economy. 

To bring light to Global Warming; effects and possible solutions, Daily News Report had interview with a Sociologist based in the United States of America- Ms. Jannah Chris Morga is a citizen of America, an Environmental Activist and a lover of eco-friendly system.

Quest: Welcome on the Program Ms. Jannah Chris Morga. To start with, what do we mean by Green House Effect.

Guest: Thank you for having me. Basically, the green house effect is a natural gradual process by which the Earth retains some of the energy of the sunrays and utilizes it to warm it enough to sustain life on the planet.

Also, this process resolved by the presence of some gases in the earth's surroundings, that form a layer around it, and are known as "Green House Gases" (GHG).

Quest: All over the World, World leaders do come together to discuss global warming and ways to fight it. What makes it an important discussion and what leads to global warming?

Guest: Global warming is crucial discussion that must be discussed by everyone in the world. This concerns discussing how damaged the Planet is and how we can help prevent the planet from further damages.

Global warming and Green House Gases

Many things we do around us do lead to global warming. Global warming and improving green house effect are synonymous with each other. Human activities like: Bush burning, burning of fossil fuels, excessive smoke discharges from Industries, Vehicles and the deforestation of forests have led to rapid increase in the concentration of the Green House Gases, mainly carbon dioxide, Nitrous Oxide and Methane in the earth's outer atmosphere, which are basically responsible for trapping and locking excessive heat inside the environment and thus increasing the overall temperature of the earth, which inturn leads to the phenomenon of Global Warming.

We can notice that the heat is gradually increasing in the planet these days, this is as a result of global warming.

Quest: Is Global Warming only caused by smokes?

Guest: No, we also have bad chemicals, odurs and waste contributing to increased rate of global warming. Factory Chemicals, dumping of  Nylon, Sachet, rubbers and the likes into the Rivers, Seas and Oceans are not helping the Planet and the living things inside to survive. 

By dumping rubber, glass, iron and nylon materials into the Rivers, the Fishes and other acquatic animals inside the oceans are endangered already. With the heat in the plant and rubbers, Nylon and pebbles in the Oceans, this  will block the flow of waters and the Sea will keep rising and this sometimes lead to flooding that has swept away millions of homes and rendered many homeless, while some are dead.

Quest: What are some of the effects of Global warming on the World's Climate?

The Effects of global warming on the climate are:

Guest: With all the aforementioned dangers of Global warming, indeed, it has emerged as one of the biggest threats to our planet and lives in this Century. Also, it has been proven that due to the increase of the Green House Gases in our outer atmosphere, the earth's temperature has warmed by 0.74 degree Celsius over the last Century.

Some of the common devastating effects of global warming have resulted in disruption of the earth's surface, climatic change, all these also lead to floods, famines, cyclones, droughts and has also reduced the health production of Fishes in the Oceans and Rivers, etc,.

Quest: How can we prevent Global warming?

Here is how to prevent Global Warming

Quest: Global warming can be helped and prevented by individual and government around the world. 

For individual, we must learn to keep the Environment, Rivers and Oceans and water ways more cleaner and free from waste; such as Nylon, Sachet, Rubbers and others must be disposed properly. We must learn to plant Trees as well. Homes should embrace Hot plate and other electric cooking ways; While others can still make use of Gasoline cooking for the meantime.

For Government, more awareness must be created about global warming and its danger. There a need for everyone to embrace the green House and Eco-Friendly system. Proper and regulated waste management must be developed to handle the waste Collection.

All Government must also work to leverage on emission free vehicles and eco-friendly electricity. Laws and strict regulations must be made to guide the ecological behavior of human and necessary punishment must be carried on anyone violating the rules guiding the Eco System in the environment. Government at all levels must also encourage and plant Trees.


Global Warming and the Danger to the Planet
Ms. Jannah Chris Morga planting Tree


Quest: What is your advice for everyone around the whole World?

Guest: I will advice them to too the environment safe and always plant Trees. Plant a memory, plant a Tree regularly, do it today for tomorrow sake. 

Let us save our planet from the harmful effects of global warming. Let us keep promoting green house and eco-friendly Planet.

5 Things to Consider Before going into Nigerian Politics

5 Things to Consider Before going into Nigerian Politics

The rate at which individuals are getting involved in politics is getting alarming. Almost everyone wants to have a taste of the so-called “National cake”, which past leaders have also enjoyed. Nowadays, most people go into politics not because of a pressing need to serve their country or selflessly work towards the progress of their community and society at large, but because they have an ulterior motive, and they see being a politician a great way to become alleviated from poverty or as a get-rich-quick scheme. 


Read: Biography of Actress Kehinde Bankole



There is a popular notion of politics being a “dirty game”, and this notion or idea has been factually established by the political system that we have in Nigeria. Being a politician nowadays should be an idea or thought that one should rethink over and over again, before delving into it.


So, here are 5 things or factors an individual should consider before going into politics in Nigeria:



1. Choice of Political Party

The role of one’s political party in determining how far one can go or the apogee of one’s success cannot be overemphasized. Whether you are founding a new party or joining an existing political party, having a group or team where you can share your ideas and visions is very important. Having joined a political party or created one, there is a need to examine the party’s constitution and manifesto. In the present Nigeria, creating a political party is a really good idea but is not the best thing to do. It puts you at a disadvantage because the party’s popularity will determine how the mass will view you. So, the best idea is to join a popular political party. There are many political parties in Nigeria, but only a few of them are popular. There is also a pressing need to check the reputation of the part you have joined and the rate of its success in past elections. You need to consider how successful your party is at winning elections. You also need to check the way things are done in the political party you have chosen. Favoritism, nepotism and tribalism are cankerworms which have eaten deep into the fabrics of most political parties in Nigeria. You need to know if you will be able to succeed in the party you have chosen, or there will be people who will always want to antagonize whatever decision and opinion you make during party meetings.


2. Building a Good reputation

This is also a great factor you should consider when deciding to go into politics. Having a good reputation that precedes you is a great item to be added to your political CV. In your political career, there is a need to have as much goodwill as possible. The society and community which you belong to need to know you for being a good person, and this will give them the confidence to vouch for you when advertising for you or campaigning for others who do not really know much about you. You need to be disciplined in whatever you do. Your YES should be your YES and your NO should be NO. Let people know you for being a person that does not take nonsense but this does not mean you should be a strict disciplinarian, as being too strict may have its own consequence. You also need to be responsible and own up to your actions. Don’t just make rash decisions, you need to be a creative thinker as this would also determine how other party members assess you.



3. Be informed: News and recent happenings of our modern society travel around like the speed of light. An event that is happening currently in Ontario, Canada can be viewed by someone who is in a faraway land or country. There is a need to stay updated and informed if you want to build a successful political career as people who are unaware or not handy with up-to-date information are always regarded as being unserious. You need to start listening to the news if you have the ambitions of building a political career, read local newspapers and national ones also. Having vital information in hand will greatly help you whenever you are engaged in discussions with other political colleagues and party members. It would also help you to have ideas and opinions on ways that you think problems ravaging the country can be nipped in the bud.


4. Have an experienced political mentor: If you ask 50 politicians if they have a godfather, most of them might not be straightforward when answering but from the hints which they will give from their answer you can decipher that there is someone whom they give reverence to for guidance on steps to take and decisions to take. The same also applies to anyone who is bearing the thought of going into politics. In our present country, godfatherism has become a popular factor in gauging your success in politics. You need an experienced person who has been into politics for a long time to teach you the ropes and guide you in your chosen career. Choosing a respectful and responsible godfather is also another factor to consider. You also need to give reverence to the leaders of your party and those put in charge of your constituency, these people might also come in hand in the course of your political career.



5. Have good communication skills: Being a good Nigerian politician requires you to be excellent and skilled at communicating with others. A bad communicator won’t go far in politics as communication is a very great tool in sharing your ideas to the general population. You need to be able to devise means to pitch your tent and sell your vital ideas to your party and constituency. Being a good orator is one factor which most politicians usually fail to consider when building their political career and this usually stands as a stumbling block when they are eventually called on to deliver their opinions. You can develop your communication skills by learning to write speeches and granting interviews to firms who want to know your opinion on a particular topic.



There are also other factors one should consider when planning to plunge into the pool of politics, but the highlighted factors are quintessential and must be considered by anyone who wishes to build a political career.