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The field of medicine and the study of extraterrestrial life, or "aliens," are not directly related. Medicine deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries in humans and animals, while the study of extraterrestrial life is focused on the search for and potential discovery of life outside of Earth. However, there are some areas of overlap between the two fields. For example, astrobiology, which is the study of the potential for life elsewhere in the universe, could have implications for the search for new medicines or the study of the effects of space travel on human health. Additionally, if intelligent extraterrestrial life were to be discovered and communication established, it could potentially lead to the exchange of medical knowledge and technologies. It is important to note that while the possibility of extraterrestrial life is an intriguing topic, it is currently purely speculative, and currently the field of medicine is limited to the study and treatment of life on earth. While the direct relationship between medicine and the study of extraterrestrial life may be limited, the field of medicine has been influenced by space exploration and technology in various ways. For example, medical equipment and techniques developed for use in space have also been adapted for use in terrestrial medicine. NASA's medical research has contributed to the development of new technologies such as the CT scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound. Additionally, NASA's research on the effects of microgravity and radiation on the human body has helped to improve our understanding of osteoporosis, muscle atrophy, and other medical conditions. Moreover, the field of telemedicine, which involves the use of telecommunications technology to provide remote medical care, has been developed and tested by NASA and other space agencies. This technology allows doctors to remotely diagnose and treat patients in remote locations, such as in space or in developing countries, where access to medical care is limited. In conclusion, while the field of medicine and the study of extraterrestrial life may not have a direct relationship, space exploration and technology have had a significant impact on medicine and continue to shape the future of healthcare

Have a great week ahead

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Dr Mo Ameer

Intern doctor at MUH (Mansoura University Hospitals) @ Mansoura University

Al Manşūrah, Egypt

In Health • 2 min read • Jan 22, 2023 17:16p.m.

Aliens and medicine

Aliens and medicine

Dr Mo Ameer

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Tobi Igbinedion

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Udochi Umeha

Lagos • 2 months, 4 weeks ago

Imaginative and interesting.

Score | 277

Jefferson Nnadiekwe

Freelance scriptwriter and creative photographer

Lagos, Nigeria

Noblesse oblige. Such a fancy term I hadn't heard of till a few nights ago. I was scrolling through status updates on Whatsapp and came across the term on a contact's status. She had just learned the word and typical with every new thing we learn she too passed it on to me albeit unknowingly. It gets more interesting than it already is when you discover the meaning. According to Webster's dictionary, Noblesse oblige refers to the idea that people who have high social rank or wealth should be helpful and generous to people of lower rank, or people who are poor. It's funny that this is a general belief shared by quite a number of people in society, we just didn't know it had a name for it. Now that we know, let's talk about this ideology.  We can coin the word 'noble' already from it, which means that it is a noble thought. However, does the fact that something appears noble automatically make it valid? Is it really the duty of the wealthy amongst us to help the poor? I mean, we all had our own share of opportunities to become successful didn't we? So why should those who utilized theirs be responsible for the others who did not. Most men who are asked their motivation to attain wealth, will tell you first and foremost that it is to be able to give themselves and their families an avenue to a better life. Then a few would add helping others as subsequent reasons. It is after all human nature to think first about our needs as we are inherently selfish (which isn't necessarily a bad thing). Having agreed that it is normal to be selfish as humans, let us also bear in mind that in as much as selflessness exists , so do kindness and empathy. Beyond the gratification of the soul, these virtues exists as a form of societal balance. Yes, we all have our opportunities at greatness, and yes, some people make use of said opportunities and work harder than others. However, there are some other factors other than hard work that determines the success of a person. There is chance, time, and may I say; luck.  Honestly, everyone can't be rich - it's chaotic. Can you imagine a world where everyone has the means to get whatever they want? On first thought, it sounds like an utopian world, but careful examination will make it clear that it would be a world driven by unhealthy and toxic competition. This is simply because the wants will certainly outweigh the available resources leading to disruption in the natural order. Therefore, in order to avert that, the universe in its wisdom has set two sides - rich and poor. Even the holy book states that the poor will always be among us. By nature, it is the duty of the wealthy/upper class to help the poor/lower class. I say it's by nature because the disparity will always exist - It is not entitlement like a lot of people like to think. Earlier I stated that Noblesse oblige helps maintain societal balance, let me explain. Class difference is already an uncomfortable reality, then think about what neglect adds to it. I will give you a hint, a combustible situation. Uprisings and revolutions sometimes are triggered when the less privilege of a given society feel abandoned and neglected to a point it becomes unbearable. If all people of higher rank are concerned about, is gathering wealth for themselves without empathy for their counterparts on the opposite spectrum, it is only a matter of time before chaos ensues. I once heard someone say that every human being on earth is fighting to come out of a tunnel, and that the first thing that you do when you eventually come out, is to look back and help the next person out. God blesses men so they can in turn be a source of blessing to other men. Life is fickle, all the wealth we accumulate will not accompany us to the grave when it's our time to go. Isn't it better if it's used to impact several lives while we are on earth? Perhaps our government officials and elites should be introduced to the term 'Noblesse oblige'. Who knows, it may just be what is needed for a health and conducive society.  Then there are those who have used Noblesse oblige as a tool in their manipulation kit. But we shall talk about these guys some other time.

In People and Society • 4 min read • Apr 24, 2024 11:51a.m.

Noblesse Oblige

Noblesse Oblige

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Score | 238

Jefferson Nnadiekwe

Freelance scriptwriter and creative photographer

Lagos, Nigeria

Modern social courtesy demands that we be economical with opinions and judgement - even if it is the truth. Gone are the days were the honesty was encouraged irrespective of whose Ox is gored. It's 'growth', and 'development', so I guess I have to live with it right? But just before I go on with living with it, permit me a few minutes to bare my mind. What the hell?! Where are we going to as a people if we see black and can't call it black because a certain group would be offended with that accuracy? How do we learn from mistakes if pointing out said mistakes makes one a 'prude'? This woke nonsense has to stop!  Liberalism and conservatism would always be at loggerheads. Both of them have their strengths and shortcomings - but nobody never accepts that with liberalism. One of the most championed mantras of liberalism is 'live and let live'. While that makes a lot of sense and proposes freedom, mankind simply cannot live and let live. Because living and letting to live has the possibility of offending the natural order of things, and should be called out at this point. A ready example that comes to mind is dress code/sense. There is this ideology spawning among us that clothes are a means to express ourselves and hence nobody should be criticized for whatever they choose to wear. Come on! This makes zero sense. Clothes are not always a means of self expression because different places demand specific dress codes. You cannot walk into an office in a bikini can you? Well given the way things are going, one might be able to do that. There was a social media post about a lady who was sent away from an interview based on her dressing and choice of clothing. Annoyingly, some people expressed their dissatisfaction and maligned the interviewer for infringing on her rights.While there were thankfully others who were bold enough to call it for what it is - a fault on the applicant's part, the mere fact that it was a debate was just appalling. It's same thing with revealing clothes being worn out in public places or functions. An air of discomfort lingers but no one wants to say anything, because they're afraid to look a certain way. Children shouldn't be exposed to indecent exposure - we know this much, but somehow we let it slide because wokeism. Look, I'm not against freedom of self expression - hell, my career demands it. However, we should be able to draw a line and say enough when it's clearly gotten out of hand. This is why I appreciate the likes of Andrew Tate, and Jordan Peterson. Say what you want about those men (especially Andrew), but their willingness to offend sensitivities is badly needed. The world is going left so fast that we need people who aren't scared to raise an alarm. A very sensitive yet crucial topic people are scared to speak on, is gender/identity politics. For example, only a handful of people warn about hormone blocking drugs and its side effects when more awareness is needed on it. The threat of cancel culture has shut role models and individuals with influence from speaking against abnormalities that are being paraded as the norm. Thankfully men like Andrew and Jordan constantly resist the efforts to be silenced - shout out to the others in this class. We cannot keep putting sensitivities over truth. Neither can we continue to give into the gaslighting that aims to validate wrongs as 'personal choices'. Should we continue like it, mankind could become so jaded that the lines between good and evil, what is acceptable and what is not; would become to blurred to distinguish. And when it gets to that point, we would all be in trouble.

In Literature, Writing and Blogging • 3 min read • Aug 20, 2024 17:15p.m.

OFFENDING SENSITIVITIES

OFFENDING SENSITIVITIES

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Jefferson Nnadiekwe

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Lagos, Nigeria

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

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

LET'S TALK ABOUT FAKE FRIENDS

LET'S TALK ABOUT FAKE FRIENDS

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Elizabeth Toluwanimi Olawale

Ikeja • 1 month, 3 weeks ago

I love this.

I can be a friend that does not like to show her feelings and do things at extreme, but trust me, I still love you ...

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

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

Score | 1569

Tari Ogbowei

Content Writer and contributor @ TwoCents

Yenagoa, Nigeria

A lot of Nigerians, especially business owners and entrepreneurs have been thrown into a state of confusion and complete pandemonium following the new CBN policy to limit cash withdrawals to #20,000 daily for individuals and #100,000 daily for businesses. The CBN had in a letter dated Tuesday 6th December directed all deposit money banks, payment service banks, primary mortgage institutions, and micro finance banks to effect an over-the-counter cash withdrawal limit by individuals and corporate entities to not more than #100,000 and #500,000 weekly, respectively, effective January 9th, 2023. “The maximum cash withdrawal over the counter by individuals and corporate organisations per week shall henceforth be N100,000 and N500,000 respectively. Withdrawals above these limits shall attract processing fees of 5 percent and 10 percent, respectively,” CBN said. When one considers the cashless policy trend being practised in Western countries, you'd be tempted to agree, that this is a positive and welcome development, as it has the potential to reduce money laundering, cash hoarding and corruption generally. But we've got to look beyond face value. The Nigerian financial terrain is peculiar and quite different from that of the Western countries. While the Western countries operate a credit driven economy, Nigeria operates a cash driven economy. This is why policies and laws must be considered properly and in tandem with our peculiarities before being put forward to the public domain. Without proper consideration, we could experience a deadly recoil of a probably good gesture, leading to even deeper economic crisis than we're in already. Inflation in the country has been on a steady rise despite several monetary tightening policies as this latest policy can be described to be. The CBN's ill thought monetary policies along with some other factors have proved to have a direct impact on inflation. This last cash withdrawal policy will rather worsen things instead of making them better. Our elders say, "it is only a mad man that repeats the same thing over and over and expects a different result. This saying directly relates to the CBN's continued efforts at tightening our monetary policies, while it doesn't seem to achieve its goal of ameliorating the effects of the fiscal mess that we're in. While the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele has been experimenting with different ideas that seem to pop into his head on a whim, the Nigerian economy has been crumbling like a pack of cards. A major effect of the soaring inflation is the erosion of the purchasing power of the naira, as incomes collapse and add to the mounting poverty of a nation which is already titled the "Poverty capital of the world". According to the National Bureau of Statistics [NBS], headline inflation accelerated to 21.47 percent in November as against 21.09 percent in October. On a month-on-month basis, it increased to 1.39 percent in November as against 1.24 percent in October 2022. Also, food inflation rose to 24.13 percent from 23.72 percent in October. On a month-on-month basis, food inflation grew by 1.4 percent compared to 1.23 percent in October. Core inflation similarly spiraled to 18.24 percent from 17.76 percent in October. Over the last one year, the Nigeria inflation story has been a depressing one as reflected in the dynamics of all key price metrics. The key inflation drivers which includes; depreciating exchange rate, rising transportation costs, logistics challenges, forex market illiquidity, hike in the cost of refined petroleum products, climate change, insecurity ravaging farming communities and structural constraints to economic activities have not changed over the last few years. The brutish inflation asides, what about the impact of the policy on MSMEs? In a country where scam is rife, fake alerts are rampant, and with a dysfunctional police and justice sysyem, transacting in cash acts as a surety against anything untoward and gives the business owner a high level of confidence and control. Let's take a look at PoS businesses which can be considered a subsector taking into cognisance the number of jobs it has created. How many of them will be affected considering the fact that PoS business is commission based and limiting daily withdrawal to #20,000 will definitely affect them and threaten their sources of livelihood. How about market women and the petty trader? How many have PoS machines? How many will be willing to engage in bank transfers. Even for many who are conversant with smartphones, one can transfer money to someone and they don't receive the alert immediately. Sometimes it takes hours. How often does this happen? What will be the effect on businesses? The new policy will most likely be inimical to their growth, as infrastructural bottlenecks prevent total reliance on alternative channels of payment being favoured by the CBN. Recently, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, alongside the National Bureau of Statistics, put the number of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country at 39.65 million, which employ about 87.9 percent of the nation’s labour force. The body added that MSMEs contribute 43.3 percent to the nation’s GDP. Truth is Nigeria, doesn't have the capacity nor infrastructure to keep the economy functioning properly as it experiments with policies that are sure to rebound and hit us right in the face. Also, with the contribution of MSMEs to nation building and job creation, it is a very important sector that should be accounted for in every fiscal and monetary decision that is bound to affect them. Sustained tightened policy penalizes entrepreneurs especially, as it increases cost of credit with heightened prospects of a backlash on growth. The deployment of monetary tightening tools should be put on hold and the CBN should resist the urge to dish out further policies of this nature as mounting inflationary pressures are yet to subside. Elections are fast approaching and all indications show that this policy is politically motivated, probably in a bid to try reduce and control vote buying. The CBN should realise it has power over the finances of over 200m people and should rather proffer solutions to our existing financial woes. It shouldn't make decisions with such hefty consequences based on political sentiments. Economic advancement of the people and country should be of utmost priority.

In The Economy • 5 min read • Dec 18, 2022 08:19a.m.

CBN'S NEW withdrawal limit policy

CBN'S NEW withdrawal limit ...

Tari Ogbowei • 2 plays

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Samuel Omoyele

Abeokuta • 1 month, 2 weeks ago

Nigeria My Country... Best in formulating and enacting useless and ill-natured policies that end up causing more heat than light.

<...

Unpopular Opinion

The True Art of Advertising is Dead! (Part 1)

by | Esther Omemu

I dare digital marketers or social media managers to argue with me on this. I was born, bred, and established in advertising, this is the first line of my bio on my portfolio and it is the truest statement I have ever made. I was born at the age when people who worked in advertising were some of the coolest people to walk the face of the business world. A time when people sacrificed their pers...

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Tari Ogbowei

Content Writer and contributor @ TwoCents

Yenagoa, Nigeria

The race for who will occupy Aso Rock in 2023 is gradually gaining momentum. In the past month the 2 major parties had their primaries and elected their flag bearers. There was also a pleasant surprise which no one anticipated. Peter Obi moved to Labour Party from PDP just a few days to the PDP primaries. A move akin to that of a football player on the last day of the January transfer window. With this, Peter Obi took the formerly unknown Labour Party from obscurity to the 3rd force in the country in less than 24hrs. Scintillating. Isn't it?Although, he said he left the PDP, quote and unquote, due to some practices that do not sit well with his persona. I believe part of it was the delegate buying and the fact that he knew he stood no chance if he wasn't willing to conform. Smart man, I must say. He didnt take the famous saying by Socrates "Man, know thyself!" for granted. He realised the odds were stacked against him quickly enough to port like "Saka" from Etisalat to MTN.In a turn of events, this unexpected move seems to be the best thing to have happened to Nigerians in the first half of 2022.

In Politics • 1 min read • Jun 10, 2022 22:42p.m.

A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 💪🏽

A MAN OF THE PEOPLE 💪🏽

Tari Ogbowei • 1 play

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Navigating the Tech World as a Woman: A Nigerian Perspective As the world becomes increasingly digitalized, the tech industry continues to grow and evolve at a rapid pace. Yet, for women, especially those from underrepresented regions like Nigeria, entering this male-dominated field can be a daunting journey filled with unique challenges. Today, I want to shed light on the struggles of the mind transitioning into tech as a woman, particularly from the perspective of a Nigerian, and the added difficulties of securing remote jobs in this competitive landscape. For many women, making the transition into the tech industry is not just about learning new skills—it's about breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes. In Nigeria, where gender inequality is still prevalent in various sectors, pursuing a career in technology as a woman requires resilience, determination, and a strong support system. From battling societal expectations to overcoming imposter syndrome, the journey can be emotionally taxing and mentally draining. One of the most significant hurdles faced by women in Nigeria aspiring to work in tech is the lack of access to quality education and resources. While the desire to learn and excel in this field may be there, the means to acquire relevant skills and knowledge are often limited, especially for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Additionally, the absence of female role models and mentors in the tech industry further exacerbates feelings of isolation and self-doubt among aspiring female technologists. Furthermore, the pursuit of remote job opportunities adds another layer of complexity to the equation. While remote work offers flexibility and freedom, securing remote jobs as a Nigerian woman in tech comes with its own set of challenges. Limited access to stable internet connection, unreliable power supply, and cultural biases against remote work can hinder progress and limit opportunities for professional growth. Additionally, navigating the intricacies of remote job applications, such as cultural differences and time zone constraints, requires adaptability and perseverance. Despite these challenges, Nigerian women in tech are resilient and resourceful. They are carving out their space in the industry, leveraging online learning platforms, networking opportunities, and support networks to overcome obstacles and pursue their dreams. Organizations and initiatives focused on empowering women in tech, both locally and globally, play a crucial role in providing access to education, mentorship, and career advancement opportunities. As we strive for gender equality and inclusivity in the tech industry, it is essential to recognize and address the unique challenges women face, particularly those from underrepresented regions like Nigeria. By fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, promoting diversity in the workplace, and providing equal opportunities for all, we can create a more equitable and vibrant tech ecosystem where women can thrive and succeed. In conclusion, the journey of transitioning into tech as a woman, especially as a Nigerian, is filled with obstacles and uncertainties. However, it is also a journey of resilience, empowerment, and endless possibilities. By overcoming challenges together and championing diversity and inclusion, we can build a brighter future where every woman has the opportunity to shine in the tech industry.

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Queensley Okon

Ota • 2 years, 9 months ago

Yesso, I am OBIdient

Score | 260

Nwobu Chidimma Programming @ E-commerce

Abuja, Nigeria

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In Career and Jobs • 3 min read • Mar 22, 2024 12:05p.m.

Navigating the Tech World as a Woman: A Nigerian Perspective

Navigating the Tech World a...

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Chi'oma Collins Gohcollins Marius Koshvila

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

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Samuel Omoyele

Abeokuta • 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Being a Woman in tech is for sure a great deal of work but it's amazing that there are more global organisations and communities aimed...

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In Fitness and Body Building • 4 min read • Feb 19, 2023 09:43a.m.

To another Beginner on their fitness journey

Some five years ago I started taking my physical fitness a bit more seriously. The words that follow are not expert advice or suggestions but, recently I started believing very much that beginners should have more of a say in matters of fitness - we should share our journeys, struggles and insights more often. Just like that beginner inspired me on Twitter those 5 years ago, I hope I make the mystery of where to begin a bit less daunting. In the beginning, was failure. I had tried different versions of trying to be fit beforehand. Once upon a time, It was eating even more food than usual and doing ridiculously difficult push-ups. That got me fat. I even tried to switch to the full-body versions of these exercises - all I got was more failure. You see, when you’re at the onset of all this, there’s too much information and there’s too much that’s difficult so I was lucky to hear from the mouth of one of the laziest athletes out there: “you can eat anything but not too much”. It’s not a lot but I’ve found along the way that you don’t usually need too much to start; the basics are enough to make a first step; all the complex jargon can come later. Before any of the discussions with a trainer or friends start before you pick up a weight or take advice from lazy athletes you need to ask yourself what you want for your body. Are you trying to be athletic (what does that even mean?) do you want to gain some muscle mass or learn how to kick ass at a particular sport? I just wanted to be lean - at least at first. This was what being fit meant to me at the time. One day I reiterated this to a nurse while getting checked and she said “being healthy or even fit is a spectrum. You can be fitter even while looking exactly the same.” Again. it might not seem like much but I learnt from these two people that dieting didn’t mean I had to exclude or include things I liked or didn’t and it could also mean portion control. The nurse also taught me that there’s not one version of a fit body - I could work with what I had and just make any positive step in the right direction. Eventually, I started talking with one of my friends who was always sharing his run times and progress on Twitter. This friend had gone from fat to lean to ridiculously jacked - it was all the inspiration I needed. I asked something along the lines of “I want to be less fat. What do I eat and what do I even do for fitness?”. He said it was all about calories and caloric deficits instead of surpluses. I got confused. He said we all needed a certain amount of calories based on weight and we just had to track them to make sure we ate less than we needed and we would lose weight. He also said I should start running. I was overwhelmed at the time because what did counting calories even mean? It’s a key juncture in anyone’s fitness journey; the time when you cross over from the everyday language to the more complex aspects of being healthier in general - it started for me with calories. If you’re self-teaching yourself fitness it’s easy to get overwhelmed. There’s a lot more than calories to track and there are just too many routines, to begin with as for exercise; this is why people pay trainers and dieticians. It’s a very amazing way to not think too deeply about the complexities of getting fitter but I would say whichever route you take, you should learn as much as you can about all of it; you have your whole life to do it. I couldn’t afford either of these so I started running. I ran as I could and ate less than usual. It’s important to know I still ate enough, it was just a lot less - I realised I took on more food than I needed regularly. I tweaked the runs and I adjusted the meals based on what I could afford or what I could find (he had said to start eating more protein). in the end, I failed yet again. I had the wrong shoes and I had flat feet that blistered and ached even when I started enjoying the exercise. I felt defeated and even ashamed. What would they think? I thought quietly. One big thing with moving positively along the spectrum of fitness or achieving whatever your dream body might be, is you have to shift the goalposts and celebrate each step. If I didn’t I would have stopped a long time ago. I couldn’t run so I searched for alternatives. “The best exercise is the one you enjoy doing every day. The best health food is the one you find tasty.” Naval Ravikant said that. All these sayings are still at the core of what pushes me or helps me back up. I’ve been calibrating the workouts and meals ever since. I got to boxing and I found out I’d rather be in a gym for exercise. Something about having somewhere to be motivates me. I learnt boxing was too intense for me at a certain level and I wanted to get bigger (shift the goalposts, remember?) and I even found out a way to only have to be in the gym three times a week. As time goes on, calories and macros and all the terminologies come naturally. I choose as a matter of principle to learn only what I need or might need. I’ve been reading a lot about cardiovascular health and protein synthesis this past month and I want to refrain from being too technical. I would advise everyone I know to do some sort of physical exercise regularly - any that they enjoy. You also have to get on top of what you eat; if you can’t keep track of it get someone you trust to do It for you. You might have to pay them in money or kind; you could also follow a registered professional online to get a sense of it but, at every confusing juncture it’s fine to take a step back. Eat the number of calories you need to get smaller or bigger; look for protein that doesn’t raise your cholesterol, eat food you like but not too much and immediately stop any workout you don’t enjoy. It can be hard but enjoyment is a must. Beginner to beginner I’ll say all you need at the many starting lines you draw are the fire in your heart - the resilience and “why” and a first step. Pick your aim and get on your marks, fall all over the track on the way to the different ends and in the words of Toshinori Yagi, Go beyond plus ultra!

To another Beginner on thei...

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

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Adeyemi Adeyinka Snr. I.T Executive @ Octoplus/Plus Marketing

Ikeja, Nigeria

Life is a journey filled with both highs and lows, moments of joy, and periods of pain. Along the way, we encounter experiences that can wound us deeply—loss, betrayal, rejection, or disappointment. These experiences leave scars on our hearts and minds, and in an attempt to cope, we often push these painful emotions deep down, hoping they'll disappear. <blockquote>But the truth is, "you can't heal what you don't reveal," and no matter how much you try to suppress them, "you can push it down, but it still won't go away."</blockquote>At first glance, suppressing pain might seem like a practical solution. After all, who wants to dwell on memories that hurt or relive moments of vulnerability? Pushing down these emotions may offer temporary relief—a fleeting sense of control over the chaos within. But suppression is a deceptive fix. The emotions we try to bury don't disappear; they retreat into our subconscious, continuing to influence our thoughts, behaviors, and overall well-being. Think of it like trying to keep a beach ball underwater. No matter how hard you push it down, it always resurfaces, often with greater force. Similarly, our suppressed emotions resurface when we least expect them, manifesting as anxiety, depression, anger, or even physical illness. These unresolved emotions can strain our relationships, damage our self-esteem, and hinder our ability to live fulfilling lives. By refusing to acknowledge and address these feelings, we deny ourselves the opportunity to truly heal and grow. Let go of the emotional baggage—acknowledge your pain, face it head-on, and allow yourself the space to heal. Only then can you move forward, lighter and more open to the joys and possibilities that life has to offer. Thanks for reading #ToBEContinued

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In Mental Health • 2 min read • Aug 27, 2024 23:34p.m.

Drop IT

Drop IT

Adeyemi Adeyinka • 11 plays

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Godwin Erite

depression growth esteem healing process scars

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Samuel Omoyele

Abeokuta • 2 months ago

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Jefferson Nnadiekwe

Freelance scriptwriter and creative photographer

Lagos, Nigeria

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

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

LET ART BE ART

LET ART BE ART

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This post is not for everyone, although most people would understand it. I think we don't give parents enough credit for what they do. This is not limited to those who grew up with their parents. If you think critically about this, you'd understand the difficulty of raising a human being. Like Kanayo O Kanayo said, "sacrifices must be made." Most parents sacrifice a lot to make sure their kids have the best. Parents always want their kids to have the life they never had. This could make them take decisions and actions that the child may not like, but the intentions are mostly genuine. So, give your parents a break! Can you raise yourself? Do am if e easy!! Our parents raised us in a time when courses on parenting were not available. All they had was their mindset, religion, and society. For me, they did a great job. We tend to dwell mostly on what we wish they could have done, and this is undoubtedly because we compare our realities to others in society. Well, it's understandable as we are humans. I still think we should be grateful for what they did. They created templates we can edit and work on. If your parents or anyone who helped raise you is alive, reach out to them and thank them. Be grateful. If they hurt you, find a way to forgive them. It may not be easy as the scars may be imprinted on your body and mind, but I believe it is worth it. Parents lives matter! Learn Unlearn Relearn

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Oluwadamilola Adesina

Lagos • 3 months, 2 weeks ago

Lovely and true words. Any form of art should be an expression of the artist. Even when art is used to show different ideas and society i...

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

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

Score | 446

Samuel Ibok

Marketing Supervisor @ Crusader Sterling Pensions Limited

Lagos, Nigeria

In People and Society • 2 min read • Sep 30, 2022 12:31p.m.

Our parents tried

Our parents tried

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

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Wilson U. Uzoeto

Abeokuta • 2 months, 1 week ago

I came to this realisation before I turned 20.. this helped love and appreciate my mom and dad more.

And even when they do thing...

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

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

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Uyo, Nigeria

It would be quite unsurprising if I am told that those who were born in the late 90s and even 2000s do not know about the famous Kalacuta Republic or have never heard about it. The reason of course is not farfetched. It is either they do not care to read history textbooks, listen to Nigerian history documentaries on the radio and television, or they are just knowledge haters. Yes, you heard that right. People are so different and weird when it comes to knowledge seeking. That notwithstanding, let us get straight to the main focus of this article. Derived from the "Black Hole of Calcutta Dungeon" located in India, Nigeria's famous Kalacuta Republic is the name given to the residence where Nigeria's popular afro -pop musician - Fela Kuti, his family, band group and recording studio lived. Interestingly, Kalacuta is also a mockery of a prison cell named "Calcutta". Located presently at No. 14 Agege road, Idi-Oro, Mushin, Lagos State, Nigeria, the Kalacuta Republic accommodates a recording facility as well as a health clinic. It is on record that upon the musical icon's return from the United States in 1970, exactly after the Nigerian Civil War, he declared the Kalacuta Republic, an Independent entity or nation so to speak from the Nigerian State and her military government which he repeatedly referred to as "Wayo government" meaning fraudulent government. Consequently, the compound - a part of the Kalacuta Republic was burned to the ground on February 18, 1977 after an assault perpetrated by Nigerian soldiers (based on an order given by the military government). This was obviously a rage that erupted because of Fela's reference to them as 'ombie' in his song. You know that saying - the truth is bitter and when it is told, it discomforts the offenders? The same thing happened to the military junta which decided to react offensively against Fela Kuti. In the song Zombie, Fela ctiticised Nigerian soldiers of his time for obeying orders blindly and foolishly, allowing themselves to be used as tools to wreck havoc against the same people they pledged loyalty to defend and protect. Having being frustrated with the Nigerian army's rank and file that allowed corruption and the intimidation of the people to thrive unceasingly, Fela vehemently expressed his dissatisfaction and outright rejection of the government's impunity. His song 'Zombie' was so popular in Nigeria to the extent that it drew the attention of then Head of State, General Olusegun Obasanjo, who was unhappy with Fela Kuti's constant lambasting of his government. During the attack at the Kalacuta Republic, it was unfortunate that Fela Kuti's mother, Frances Abigai Olufumilayo was thrown out of the window of the second floor, an infamous event which led to her death after being in coma for about two months. On February 20, 1978, the Ace afro-pop giant secretly married twenty-seven women - his back-up singers who were popularly known as the Kalacuta Queens. When asked of his reason for marrying these twenty-seven women, he explained that he did what he did in order to give them social and economic security and save them from the thorns of unemployment and poverty especially after the recording studio had been destroyed. To Fela Kuti, these women needed to be protected as the Yoruba tradition demands. Even upon Fela Kuti's demise, the Kalacuta Republic has remained a legendary and historical site for the remembrance of Nigeria's struggles and quest for equity, fairness, justice and good governance. This explains that the trouble with Nigeria never started today or even yesterday; it began the moment men began to think with their nose, see with their anus and lead with their ego! The problem of Nigeria began the moment the British saw Nigeria as a good business conglomerate and Nigerians as perfect commodities of trade. Unfortunately, this same ideology was handed down to the leaders of the first republic who instead of truncating it and creating a new vision for the country, decided to embrace it. Today, the Kalacuta Republic has been rebuilt and turned into a museum - the Kalacuta Museum. It was officially launched and opened for public usage on October 15, 2012 in commemoration of Fela Kuti's 74th posthumous birthday. The museum contains the display of Fela Kuti's dance clothing, Instruments, artworks, restaurant and a hotel. Indeed, the Kalacuta Republic was a Republic in a Republic.

In History and Culture • 3 min read • Feb 10, 2023 08:43a.m.

A Peep At The Famous Kalacuta Republic

A Peep At The Famous Kalacu...

Ugochukwu Asiogu • 5 plays

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638

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Tobi Igbinedion

Lagos • 3 months, 1 week ago

The man Fela. A legend and Myth. Surprised me when there were arguments as to if Burna Boy had surpassed his legacy. Like how? In a f...

Score | 781

Tari Ogbowei

Content Writer and contributor @ TwoCents

Yenagoa, Nigeria

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

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

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

The EFFECT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ...

Tari Ogbowei

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Alfred Lagos

2 years, 9 months ago

"BAT"... Man

Score | 685

Ugochukwu Asiogu

I conduct research and provide critical analysis on human security, and development issues.

Uyo, Nigeria

Culture they say is man's sure bet to unlocking the keys to his existence. It is man's most significant compass to understanding his root, his past and his present. All over the globe, there is no society that is bereft of cultural practices informed by history, myths and legend. This explains why people are diverse and yet interconnected by one single element - culture. In the course of my study on different world cultural practices, I have come across one striking aspect that is not only revealing but is also symbolical and that is the concept of "Totemism" in Igbo land. Totemism refers to the belief in the fact that humans have a symbolic connection with certain spirit - beings in the forms of plants, animals and other entities. It is believed that these entities interact with a particular kin-group or individual (s) which serves as their symbol. On a general note, Totemism features features attributes of peoples religious and social organisations. It manifests in a lot of forms amongst people whose traditional source of livelihood were based on fishing, farming, hunting, food gathering as well as animal rearing. In other words, totems take the form of our ancestors ' occupation like the fish, monkey, bat, leopard, tiger, elephant, Iroko tree, guns, and many others. Although the concept of totemism is quite complex as it varies in ideas and patterns of behaviour as a result of its unique and mystical representation of group genealogies, one must not forget that in Igbo land, totems are seen as man's guide, companion, super - hero and even progenitor with superior powers and abilities. Igbo prople accord totems a great deal of of veneration which usually attracts 'Nso" - a prohibition against killing, manhandling or eating them. This is done based on the belief that these highly spiritual elements testifies to man's past existence and reality thus killing or manhandling them would mean prople hurting themselves - an action that could result in severe consequences. Igbo prople consider totems as sacred communal entities. They revere various plants and animals but this is dependent on a particular geographical location. For instance, in Eha-Amufu, Enugu State, a certain spirit of the river known as 'Ebe' is believed to be in charge of the fishes in that particular river where big fishes are considered to be the counterparts of aged men in the village. As such, in a situation where a villager dies, it is considered a taboo for anyone to fish in that river. In this village, fish as totem is highly revered. In the same vein, the peoples of Idemili South and North (Anambra State) are well known for their deification of Python. In other words, they worship Python. The prople believe that 'Eke' (Python): represent the gods of Idemili. As such, no one dares kill a Python whenever it visits else such a fellow would give it a befitting funeral ceremony just as it is done for a deceased human. Rather than Kill Python, the prople worship it by singing praises and calling it pet names. And surprisingly, they rarely get bitten. However, in a situation where someone gets bitten, the prople believe that it is either the person is a foreigner in the land or is evil. In Afikpo, Ebonyi State, the indigenes do not eat crabs and so cannot kill it. Also, they are forbidden to eat or kill monkeys, tortoise, crocodiles, butterflies, snails and alligator. These are considered totems by the prople. Similarly, in Umuokahia, Obi Ngwa, Abia State, a particular Python called 'Okahia' I'd believed to live in the community shrine and is as old as the community itself. In Nkwerre, Imo State, prople revere 'Enyi' (Elephant) and 'Egbe' (Gun) as totemic entities that represent their land. To them, the gun signifies the early occupation of their ancestors who were gunsmiths while the elephant is an ancestral name chosen because of its size, wisdom and size. Overall, in Igbo land, totems are protected and defended because it is believed that they do same for the prople.

In History and Culture • 3 min read • Feb 18, 2023 07:39a.m.

Do Not Kill That Elephant, It Could Be Your Kinsman

Do Not Kill That Elephant, ...

Ugochukwu Asiogu • 2 plays

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Wilson U. Uzoeto

Abeokuta • 1 month, 2 weeks ago

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lifestyle , clothes , fashion , career

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women , career , entrepreneurship , business , development , entrepreneur , ceo

Toyin Jolapamo

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In Education

women , education , stem , equality , gender

Chinasa T. Okolo

Managing Director & Computer Science PhD Student @ The Diasporic Group & Cornell University

New York City, United States

In STEM

technology , learning , ai , machine , stem , computer , science

Priscilla Ofosu Mensah

Bridal Makeup Artist, Makeup Educator, Makeup Special Effects (Sfx) @ Vogue by Prylla

Accra, Ghana

In Beauty, Fashion and Lifestyle

beauty , bridal , makeup , cosmetics

Ifueko Igbinedion

Doctoral Student @ MIT

Boston, United States

In STEM

technology , learning , engineering , ai , electrical , machine , stem , drones

SESSION ANSWER
IN FOCUS

Adebisi Adenola

What are your thoughts on brand activism and cause-marketing and how brand mangers could use this to connect effectively with consumers?

Dr. Emmanuel Mogaji

Senior Lecturer Advertising and Marketing Communications @ University of Greenwich, London

I think it is very important for brands to reflect their target audience. This is the time of being 'WOKE' but it must be done right. Compare Gillette's advert We Believe: The Best Men Can Be and Nike's advert with Colin Kaepernick. Gillette's advert didn't do well because people could...

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Mwambo Kate

Yaoundé • 2 years, 3 months ago

1.Probably the fear of starting all over.

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

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

Score | 1171

Ugochukwu Asiogu

I conduct research and provide critical analysis on human security, and development issues.

Uyo, Nigeria

Alligator Pepper, Mbongo spice or Ose Oji as it is called by Igbo people of Southeastern Nigeria is a West African spice that is extracted from the seed pods of "Afraimomum Danielli" - a specie in the ginger family. Just as the name of the spice i-Alligator Pepper, the seeds have a papery skin and a peppery taste while the bumps of the seed within the skin can be likened to an Alligator's back. In Igbo land and according to Igbo culture, the Alligator Pepper is more than a spice, seed, or even fruit as the case may be. It is a spirit and a sacred instrument of natural force. Ose Oji is a highly sensitive tool with deep spiritual connotations. Hence, the reason only elders understand the mystery wrapped around it as well as its proper usage. There are very significant rituals that are involved in handing Ose Oji according to the Igbo culture. In other words, the spice has  principles which must be kept so as to remain spiritually effective. It also has 'nso' - the things that it detests which people must not do with it or near it. I know you would be wondering what these principles could be? But not to worry, just keep calm, relax your muscles and follow me gently. Before the Ose Oji pod is opened, tradition demands that the person who intends to open it must first take it behind his back with two hands because as a spirit, it must be kept sacred. When this is done, it is instructed that the person holding it should use his fingers to break it open after which he can bring back his hands to the front to enable him keep the pod or release the seeds into preferably, a plastic container that can be covered. It is a rule in Igbo culture that Ose Oji must not be kept in a place where a man or woman that is menstruating can walk over it. When this happens, the power of the Ose Oji fades away and it will remain ineffective. Ose Oji can be used for many things. First, it can be used to say prayers, rejecting evil occurrences and plots and attracting good luck. It can also be used to cleanse the body against charms and spiritual attacks. For instance, while holding the seed , it is instructed that one should make sure it is exposed in such a way that it touches every part of the body thus justifying the belief that it magnets all negative energies (Iill luck) in the body. When this is done, the Ose Oji is thrown away and the negative energies go with it. However, it should be pointed out that peradventure a woman who is menstruating walks over the seeds, the cleansing ritual fails. Igbo people also use Ose Oji to sanitise and secure thenselves, their daily movements, businesses and other activities before leaving their homes. It can be used for morning prayers and in doing so, it Is advised that one should put three seeds into his mouth while barefoot and call on his ancestors and chi to make his day glorious and successful. After saying the prayers, he should chew the seeds and swallow. When one is embarking on a journey and is unsure of his or her safety, it is advised that such a fellow should select seven (7) Ose Oji seeds and put them inside his pocket. It is believed that with this single act, he will be protected against all forms of spiritual and physical harms and unforseen attacks. When the fellow returns back from the journey, he is supposed to bring the out the seeds and throw them away. Interestingly, Ose Oji can equally be used to lay a curse on someone or people who have done wrong. In such a situation, the person laying the curse should take two seeds of Ose Oji and hold them in his right palm standing barefooted. After that, he should call on his ancestors and chi and then begin to lay the curse. However, it is very important to add that one with unclean hands, unclean mind and unclean body is not advised to carry out such act because the implications would be reversed. Indeed, culture is powerful and one beautiful thing about the African culture is that though it may seem to have been infiltrated by European influences, it still remain unfaded and authentic, reminding us of where we came from and connecting us back to our root.

In History and Culture • 3 min read • Jan 06, 2023 08:50a.m.

The Symbolic Representation of Ose Oji (Alligator Pepper) in Igbo Culture

The Symbolic Representation...

Ugochukwu Asiogu • 7 plays

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1157

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Udochi Umeha

Lagos • 1 month, 2 weeks ago

This is the reality of life. To be so focused on moving forward and making progress that you may not get the chance to take that short...

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

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

Score | 406

Tari Ogbowei

Content Writer and contributor @ TwoCents

Yenagoa, Nigeria

Despite the fact that Mr. Peter Obi is an Igbo man, he isn't running on an ethnic ticket. It is a fact that Mr. Peter Obi is now the most popular candidate and his supporters seem to come from every part of the country. On social media, his supporters keep chastising those who try to give him an ethnic colouration. His nationalist views, his track record of delivered campaign promises & timely intervention in pertinent matters while he was governor and his now famous speech, "Go and verify" endears him to Nigerians of all ethnicities. Mr. Peter Obi seems to be the first candidate since MKO Abiola with a pan Nigerian allure and downplays the ever present ethno-religious sentiment. The North produced the incumbent president and by rotation and equity, power is due back in the South. The South has three parts; the South West, South South and South East. The South West has produced a president for 8 years, Vice president for another 8 years. The South South has been president for 6 years and Vice president for 2 years, yet the South East has never been given the opportunity. The South East which are the Igbos have never produced neither the President nor the Vice president since we came back to civilian rule in 1999. Going by this, the equity, fairness and justice of the situation demands that power be ceded to the South East, since the presidency has been made a turn by turn thing. If it's the turn of any group, the Igbos are best poised for it but being Igbo is in itself a problem. From an ethnic perspective, his being Igbo is meant to serve as a disadvantage as the Igbos are the most disliked and maligned ethnic group in the nation. In successive governments, it is made sure of that they have the smallest representation in appointed positions and are usually overlooked in the national scheme of things. The Igbos have been repressed since the civil war. It seems they haven't been forgiven for the secession attempt and the punishment for their supposed treachery is being the region with the least federal investment. In an unofficial agreement, the rest of Nigeria makes sure that the Igbos never get close to the seat of power, not even in the Vice Presidential capacity. The Igbos can't be trusted and must be put down by all means. This coupled with the fact that the Igbos can't seem to be united in common interest makes them a weak political bloc. For the first time in a long time, the Igbos are uniting. Not just them, but the rest of Nigeria. For the first time in a long time, Nigerians are putting tribe and religion aside to create a nationalist movement in support of a seemingly nationalist candidate. For the first time, we might have an Igbo President who wouldn't be voted in on the basis of tribe but because he is seen as competent. Yet, his being Igbo works to his advantage because it is the turn of the Igbos and he seems like just the right type of Igbo man to be entrusted with the nation. Mr. Obi's candidacy is auspicious and it seems the stars align in his favour.

In Politics • 3 min read • Jul 02, 2022 00:18a.m.

An Igbo President

An Igbo President

Tari Ogbowei

0:00 / 0:00

Suliyat sells shoes and bags supposedly. She lives in Lekki in a two bedroom duplex and pays 1.5 million naira every year for rent. The mantra of "God when" keeps flying when she uploads on Instagram and Tiktok and all she does is remind people that she is a "small girl with a big God". Dele has a mansion in Lekki and another in Port Harcourt. He claims to work virtually and receives fluctuating salaries between 4000 to 5000 pounds monthly. His house always has a weird smell that is a mixture of excreta and God knows what. You cannot breathe in his house and would prefer to meet him in an official setting. Every week, there is a new girl in his house but he cannot send money home to his parents who are still homeless. People wonder why it is so and some have even called him names but he keeps telling them that they don't understand. He has already ordered the latest Benz so all is well and good Ekaette has finished university and is about to go for service. The problem is that she does not want to serve anywhere that is not Lagos as it is the "happening place" so she has cooked up strategies to ensure it is so. She has decided to go through her parents to ask that they talk to her aunt who has pull in the NYSC office. A sum has been requested and paid and all she can do is wait for her fate. One way or another, she must land in Lagos or nothing else matters, even if she has to fraternize with the Platoon Leader or an influential Local Government Inspector. Emeka wants to get married but his business has not been giving as much money as he would like. He decided this next trip, he must add money on top and put it on the customers, after all, they have no choice. Anything that was 500 naira is now 4000 naira. Economy is hard and it is not his fault. Man must wack and there is nothing he can do about it. Ena just woke up and would use the whole morning for another round of thinking. What would her children eat now that their dad is not there to support her, and she is not as strong to cater for them as her back issues are becoming worse. If not for the house her husband left and kept away from other assets, she would be on the street. The politician may be coming to campaign again. Maybe she would go and collect the three onions and five cups of rice so at least her children would eat. She is good as far as they have eaten. Osas finally found a job but it looks like the pay is not as promising as he thought it would be. He was expecting a base pay of 200,000 naira and now he is seeing 80,000 naira and a "promise" to increase after years worked. Right now, he is at a crossroad as he is out of options and it has been three years of trying to get something good. It seems he would have to settle until he finds something good and then his japa plans can be built while doing so. To hell with staying in this country for more than a year!! These and more stories are what are prevalent in the Nigerian sphere and these are all victims of an already wicked and corrupt system. Say what you want about them but these are their realities and unless we create a system that actually works, more of these would erupt and we would keep crying and not solving the problem. Decide what future you want for your family Don't sell your vote Use your voice wisely

395

Score | 525

Queensley Okon

Information Officer @ Covenant University

Ota, Nigeria

1421

28212

196

In Politics • 3 min read • Nov 11, 2022 22:52p.m.

HMM

HMM

Queensley Okon

0:00 / 0:00

Have you ever wanted to share something beautiful with friends or a group and held yourself back? Maybe you just got a beautiful gift from a loved one, something you have always wanted and decided to just "loud it" in appreciation of the person, or just because you love doing so. Or you had a thought on a particular topic, trending or not and decided it isn't worth your stress because you are not ready for the toe to toe that occurs on the virtual streets What made you hold back on doing so? Did you feel bullied? What then is the need to tout "freedom of speech" if we are really not going to live by it? We really are in interesting times and most would want to blame a lot of factors, including a generational gap and "modern times" but the truth is, this has been going on for générations and is just on full glare. I mean, don't you remember the famous quote by Idi Amin "there is freedom of speech but freedom after speech, that I cannot guarantee. Or is it ancient times where people were killed ruthlessly for speaking against rulers, heck, Jesus was killed for just preaching and speaking the truth. Now, we have more refined ways to find people and kill them by planting bugs or using your phone as a listening device by cloning it and so many others but I digress. Social media has become a menace as you have people who are seen as the gatekeepers, dropping hot takes and getting away with it because of their influence and large following. Once you say something that is against those lines of thought, you find yourself being attacked by their minions or even misunderstood and insulted till you log off or close your page down. I remember one time when I was active on Facebook and the blessed Pastor Iren had been sharing beautiful words on the net and I made a comment stating how I appreciated his growth in the ministry and how it was a beautiful thing to watch his spiritual development. Omo, e no reach one second, some minions punched down, yelling at how I could talk to their man of God like that, and some other vile stuff I would rather not repeat. I was actually surprised because I know the Pastor had appreciated and liked my comment and even responded and I was wondering what I had said wrong. I was giving it to them hot hot as they were dropping and only calmed down when the Pastor said I should just forget about it. Honestly, it was out of respect for him, because I for don show some people not to mess with me because their grammar was already painful enough to read. But that's just one of many I have had and lately, I have been seeing some silly stuff from people that makes me annoyed. Professor Uju Anya made a comment on the death of Queen Elizabeth and her tweet got deleted when it got a response from Jeff Bezos and the tweet was flagged as inciting. Now while I don't condone how she worded the tweet, which was from a place of deep pain, I feel like we are allowing Twitter to become a place of dull and babied people who just think life is a bed of roses. Jordan Peterson said in order to speak, you have to risk being offensive, (or something like that because I am really paraphrasing here) and that is true. In conversations, you are going to hear things you don't like and you have to learn how to process them with understanding. A woman saying she feels no sympathy for the Queen is her opinion. You don't have to like it but that is how she feels. Maybe a great portion of the world loved Eliza but a lot more hated her guts too. I mean have you seen Irish Twitter and Tiktoks? You would be guffawing all day. Infact, one of their Tiktoks was done in front of the Buckingham palace and it was shared to Twitter and Twitter flagged it, claiming it is misrepresenting information. It put the warning for those who wanted to retweet or like the video. If you go around flagging everything you don't agree with, how would the world function? Or let's digress to Mercy Chinwo who shared beautiful posts about gifts her hubby got her and someone made a whole post warning her to stop doing those so she doesn't become bigger than God or losing her ministry. Infact, the person said she might let the praises get to her head and release a "worldly album" and that she should stop posting her husband or make the posts fewer so she doesn't make her husband God Such impunity!!!!! I'm really tired of people trying to gatekeep opinions and forcing people to be silent because they don't agree with them. See what they tried to do to Dave Chappelle and they lost. Haven't they learned? Of course this doesn't apply to really disturbing posts but when it comes to opinions, damn, can you keep your performative sanctimony? You say worse things or think about them, they are just not on social media. I really hope we start having a world where people can have healthy discussions without being shut down for a difference in opinion. I also hope we have a world where people learn better ways to speak so you don't come off as off-putting Freedom of speech doesn't really exist though, in my opinion, diplomatic or regulated speech on the other hand is the best way to go Unless you don't care about being offensive, then kudos to you. Risk being offensive or train yourself to be desensitized to offense. Your call!!! Let me know what you think about my piece By the way, the Rap Queen just dropped a heavy QueenMix and put underdogs on. Shout out to Nicki Minaj, hip hop legend and VMA vanguard royalty. Stay fresh and Thank God Have a blessed week

511

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

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

Score | 479

Queensley Okon

Information Officer @ Covenant University

Ota, Nigeria

1421

28212

196

In People and Society • 4 min read • Sep 09, 2022 11:53a.m.

SAY YOUR PIECE BUT THIS GATE WOULD BE KEPT

SAY YOUR PIECE BUT THIS GAT...

Queensley Okon • 3 plays

0:00 / 0:00

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

462

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

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

Score | 435

Joshua Omoijiade

Architect @ James Cubitt Architects

Lagos, Nigeria

1025

12820

114

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

The Architecture of Grounded Freedom

The Architecture of Grounde...

Joshua Omoijiade

0:00 / 0:00

architecture avatar design

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

417

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

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

Score | 594

Ugochukwu Asiogu

I conduct research and provide critical analysis on human security, and development issues.

Uyo, Nigeria

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

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

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

THE AFRICAN KINGDOM WHERE T...

Ugochukwu Asiogu

0:00 / 0:00

583

Score | 493

Jefferson Nnadiekwe

Freelance scriptwriter and creative photographer

Lagos, Nigeria

Why can we as humans, identify when somethings are wrong, but do nothing to fix them? Let me rephrase. Why are we able to point out weak legal, economical, or societal structures, but do little to correct them? After all, the purpose of identifying a problem, is to solve it, isn't it? An answer which makes sense to me is; humans are most times satisfied with weak structures. What do I mean by this? Weak structures and societies, are easier to take advantage of and exploit. These problems, exist for a constantly, because they are of benefit to a certain group of people. For example, a weak legal system makes it easier for people to be cheated and stolen from. When justice is difficult to attain, criminals become bolder. Let's use the Nigerian society as a case study. It is so often that we speak on the ever present and infamous corruption prevalent in the society. But it seems like the more we speak and condemn it, the worse it becomes. Can we say it is because corruption is so indestructible, that all efforts to kill it fail? I for one, think that the reason is that - corruption favours some people, and those people obstruct whatever attempts are made to eliminate it. Let's also consider the Nigerian creative industry. The lack of structure, and legal organization, makes it easy for companies to take advantage of creatives. Or for creatives to take advantage of fellow creatives. A lot of musicians, actors, filmmakers, are constantly being ripped off; as there is no solid structure to protect them. And all efforts to set in place these structures, are met with stiff opposition from fellow industry persons, who use the opportunity to exploit others. In a nutshell, it is correct to state that the biggest hindrance to development and positive change, is from the people who need it. This isn't exactly exclusive to this side of the world though. Even in the developed nations, there are people who make it their duty to preserve the fire that would be better extinguished.

In People and Society • 2 min read • Oct 06, 2022 11:24a.m.

GUARDIANS OF THE WRONG

GUARDIANS OF THE WRONG

Jefferson Nnadiekwe • 2 plays

0:00 / 0:00

I know you like my insights 😁. Kindly consider leaving a tip.

482

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

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

Score | 468

Tari Ogbowei

Content Writer and contributor @ TwoCents

Yenagoa, Nigeria

Just a few years ago, in 2014 precisely, the dollar traded between #150 and #170. Today it's trading at #720 to a dollar, a whopping 367% increase. Our excess crude account has shrunk from $35.37m to $376,655, the lowest it has ever been since the beginning of the fourth republic. What this means is that we have virtually no savings and by implication nothing to cushion the effect of any economic misfortune we might run into. Meanwhile, the NNPC has a daily crude oil sale of 1.6m barrels per day at $100 per barrel. That's $160m per day without taking cognisance of gas sales, yet we have just $367,655 as our foreign reserve. 🙄 What this means is that someone somewhere, most likely in the presidency is shortchanging Nigeria and Nigerians. As at May 2015, 1 litre of petrol was #65. Today it is around #180, 176.9% increase. In May 2015, a bag of rice was sold at #7,000. Today it's over #30,000. This is over 328%. The price of many other commodities have also increased with at least a 150%. Bread which is one of those foods in high demand has done at least 200% increase. The naira is in a free fall. In less than no time, it will be trading for #1,000 to a dollar. Our political elites have hoarded forex which they have used for their primaries and are also planning to use in buying their ambitions in the forthcoming elections, thereby starving businesses, importers and manufacturers of much needed forex which in turn puts a strain on an already fragile economy. If we faced the same circumstances we had in 2015, we would definitely enter a recession we might never come out of and Zimbabwe would be a walk in the park in comparison. All these, coupled with the yearly double digit inflation rate result in the erosion of the purchasing power of the naira. Nigeria being an import based economy, will soon be brought to its knees by all its negative KPIs. In all of this, a broke country as Nigeria whose debt servicing is more than it's income still borrows and for what? To steal the said funds, further impoverishing the people and mortgaging the future of generations unborn. All of the aforementioned stem from one source, the leadership of an inept president who had no real reason why he wanted to be president. A man who had no solutions to the problems we had but only wanted to be president for the fun of it. So he exaggerated our problems and made himself look like the only one who could solve them but rather made things worse. From the first day he assumed office, it was obvious that he wouldn't do well. It took him 6 months to appoint his cabinet. He ordered the DSS to blow up and invade the homes of some judges in the guise of fighting corruption while all he was doing was cowering the judiciary into submission. Today it seems the judiciary is an appendage of the executive arm of government. His draconian and anti-people policies have even made things worse. While all these were ongoing, some Nigerians, social media influencers, like Dr. Dipo Awojide, Segalink, Omojuwa, Odanz, etcwere cheering him on and called others wailers. Today, in the light of all that is happening, these set of people no longer have a voice. We are all wailers now. Funny 😁 In spite of all these, that Buhari and the APC has put Nigerians through, the APC still has the effrontery to ask Nigerians to vote for it in the forthcoming elections. It is fighting for continuity. Continuity on what exactly? The existing bad legacy? Seems like the APC wants continuity to finish Nigerians pata pata but it is said, "ONCE BITTEN, TWICE SHY" I don't know but I feel Nigerians have woken up and are ready to take back their country from clueless and inept, tyrannical, far right winged dictators who think Nigeria's presidency is "turn by turn."

In Politics • 3 min read • Jul 30, 2022 00:59a.m.

ONCE BITTEN, TWICE SHY

ONCE BITTEN, TWICE SHY

Tari Ogbowei

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What do you think this topic will be about? Take a pause and think...... Ever heard the saying Humans are social animals? What's the difference between being a social animal and a social beast? Well here's a truth steering every one of us in the eyes, we have a beast that lives within us, yes, you have a beast waiting patiently to break out left unchecked. The devil has long been blamed for humanity's darkest actions, often becoming the scapegoat for our own worst behaviors. After all, it's easier to point fingers at something or someone who can't defend itself. Here and there we hear news of people who attacked innocent victims with no prior history of violence on record, model citizens falling apart with one act done to them leading to the awakening of the beast that existed within the so-called social animal.<img src="https://www.twocents.space/media/inline_insight_image/night-tiger-beast-hd-wallpaper-preview.jpg" alt=""> This beast has plagued society in so many ways than one, across Africa and beyond, it comes in various names such as slavery, trafficking, human sacrifice, manslaughter, rape, xenophobia, etc. The list goes darker and darker, no one could imagine growing up only to have the instinct to kill and destroy, we know not what to say, it so seems the instinct has always been there. Push a social animal to the wall and you will see the beast dwelling within. Some say "No, I can't do that", well I will only meet you with a philosophical quote from Socrate "Man know thyself" a level of self-awareness that many are guilty of not having. The society is a mob of emotionally manipulate-able beasts waiting to be used at every and any point, the truth no longer a thing because a well-painted mirage of deception has been fed to their hungry beast giving enough strength to crush skulls and shatter hearts when the deed is done the beasts leaves the social animal back into its abode, reality becomes hideous, guilt becomes the stone that crushes their heart with no place to hide they seek for salvation, well maybe they did, maybe they did not and died in the pursuit of that salvation. Know this, the complexity of this world is enough to create a beast within you, but only you have the power to keep it in check, we don't control what happens to us all, but we do control the next cause action. Sorry the devil didn't do anything, You did this.

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Score | 281

Godwin Erite

Project Manager @ Acceler8ed Marketing Services

Lagos, Nigeria

825

6307

103

In People and Society • 2 min read • Aug 11, 2024 21:06p.m.

The Beast Within

The Beast Within

Godwin Erite • 5 plays

0:00 / 0:00

Samuel Ibok

society humannature selfawareness

THIS INSIGHT HAS STARTED RECEIVING TIPS

If you visit the gym consistently, you'll find this group of people who people stare at because of the volume of weight they lift. Now, keep in mind that they didn't get there overnight. So yeah, resist the urge to step up your weight game before time. This is crucial to avoid injury. Besides, if you get hurt, the most you'd get is sorry. Like we say in Nigeria, "no go de do pass yourself!" A while back, I saw a clip of someone who nearly died because he somehow convinced himself to attempt to add 20 kg to his barbell weight. It's just ridiculous. Even if you've been training for a while, you could still get hurt. So, be guided. "You should add the weights progressively rather than abruptly." He was lucky someone was there to spot him. That leads to another crucial point. It's okay to have someone spot you. This is regardless of how long you've been training. It's not for competition but rather to ensure proper execution of the exercise. Your form could be wrong, thereby wasting your reps. So yeah, it's okay to have someone by your side. In other words, swallow your ego and be safety conscious. Learn Unlearn Relearn

253

Score | 579

Samuel Ibok

Marketing Supervisor @ Crusader Sterling Pensions Limited

Lagos, Nigeria

In Fitness and Body Building • 1 min read • Dec 10, 2022 21:49p.m.

Be calming down!

Be calming down!

Samuel Ibok

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

568

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

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

Score | 425

Tari Ogbowei

Content Writer and contributor @ TwoCents

Yenagoa, Nigeria

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

UNITED IN GREED - Part 3

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

UNITED IN GREED - Part 3

Tari Ogbowei • 1 play

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What is propaganda? It is information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote a political cause or point of view. The term “propaganda” apparently first came into common use in Europe as a result of the missionary activities of the Catholic church. In 1622 Pope Gregory XV created in Rome the Congregation for spreading the faith and regulating church affairs in heathen lands. (Lifted from American Historical Association) So, while the term may have been created for action with a moral justification and cause, we have seen it morph over the years to mean something else. There is no better time to discuss this than election season. With the birth of the internet, the gatekeepers and the old guards who restricted those who were not trained from airing their views were bypassed. There is not as much institutional control over information, this brought about a boom of growth because it gave easy access to information to those who needed it, no matter where in the world they were. We also learned an important lesson, every good thing, no matter how noble has its dark side, and this was EVERYONE had access to air their views. What makes propaganda a real danger and threat is the fact that it looks like the truth and real information at the surface level. They put out actual footage; video, pictures, etc. So you think to yourself, if the picture or video is there then it's real. The said facts or evidence are in reality altered or warped to fit the narrative the publisher wants. So while two people get the same general information, the understanding of events is like Night and Day, completely different. In summary, you do not realize you are being played or manipulated. While I'm a believer in freedom of speech, and expressing opinions, I know enough to know that freedom can only truly exist if there are laws, and rules guiding it, and consideration for your fellow man and his experience. This is the paradox of life, without restrictions, your freedom will impede on the freedom of another, ultimately resulting in misunderstanding and chaos. This is what in some ways began to happen more frequently with the news. The point of this post is to help make you aware of when you are being fed propaganda, at least to some extent. 1. Slow down: The internet is a place where content and information hits us per second; especially if you have a great internet connection. The idea of social media is to flood the user with so much content that they do not have a second to get bored, because if they do, they leave. This is because each second you are on, engaging, increases the chances of you clicking on/ viewing paid ads or patronizing the business of someone else on the platform, which convinces them that the platform is a great place to do business, so they are most likely more convinced to click the ad button to boost publicity, aiding the loop that is the cycle. This has a way of sucking us in, so much so that we react to things without thinking, completely on instinct. Have you caught yourself about to type something, then you go 'Nah, it's not worth it?’ The same thing happens when we see propaganda, we react without pausing to ask ourselves questions, "is it real, true, or why?" Asking why someone would do something is a good place to start, as it reveals the motives and what they stand to gain, which reveals more information the more you ask "why?" 2. Check the source: I know it can be exciting to see certain headlines, this is generally because they do that for a living and have mastered keywords and phrases they know trigger people, but when you read that caption or that short clip edited, make sure to check; is the site a trustworthy one? A gossip blog or page with a track record for factual news and not one that is more likely to post content to get you riled up just for profit. 3. Google and get the full context: In other words, do a mini search, few minutes of googling the news or searching for the full clip will let you get the full context or information. I can speak for 40 minutes about why men are providers for example, and one person will edit out a few seconds of my saying "women are meant to be taken care of by men," they could post captions heavily pushing that agenda and leave out where I say something like "but women should also learn to be resourceful and help support." 4. Check if other platforms have the same news: By this, I mean read-through to see the narrative reported. Students not allowed to write exams because of school fees payment is a normal occurrence we all know, as it is a business that needs money to pay its staff. But when it's reported highlighting the owner of the institution, it turns from just reporting the news to expecting a certain reaction targeted at the owner of the school. 5. Check the date: When people push propaganda, they can from time to time take old clips, and images presenting them as current to push a narrative. 6. Check your bias: Sometimes we easily swallow something because it agrees with our world view, thesame way we fight what goes against those views, no matter how glaring the evidence before us. Try to make sure that you take in information with an open mind, and most importantly, remember because you see it on the internet, does not automatically make it true.

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Score | 1057

Oluseyi Vandy

Freelance writer, audio producer, 3D modelling

Lagos, Nigeria

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22314

118

In Education • 4 min read • Dec 12, 2022 08:35a.m.

CRITICAL THINKING: HOW TO SPOT PROPAGANDA

CRITICAL THINKING: HOW TO S...

Oluseyi Vandy

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The world around us is a reflection of the human mind. This is something that I’ve come to internalize and come to believe deeply. You cannot separate an environment from the minds that make up the environment. So what are the implications of this truth? It means that an environment that is beautiful, developed, organized is a result of minds that are equally beautiful, developed and organized. An environment that is chaotic, disorganized, undeveloped is a product of minds that are equally chaotic, disorganized and undeveloped. This might sound harsh, but it is the reality. What it also means is that if you want to build a society that is progressive, you have to focus first on developing minds that are progressive. Everything that brings progress springs forth from a developed mind. The average Nigeria believes ‘if we solve power, we’ve solved 90% of our problems’ or ‘we need to invest in infrastructure to develop’. This misses the whole essence of development. If you want Nigeria to develop, invest in the minds of Nigerians first, and the roads, rails, power and everything else will come. We’ve invested in roads without the engineers to maintain them, rail that crumbled in the absence of rail engineers, bridges and buildings collapsing because of poor workmanship. Investing in infrastructure without investing in the people who will build, maintain and improve the infra shows a fundamental lack of understanding of how true development works. Build the mind of the people. And the people will build the country

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Comments

Wilson U. Uzoeto

Abeokuta • 3 months, 1 week ago

This is good insight.. thank you

Hi, it's Oluseyi, thanks for reading & listening to my insights.

Let me tell you a story https://instagram.com/reneg...

Score | 428

Tomi Walker

Product

Lagos, Nigeria

415

2523

In Nigeria • 1 min read • Jan 14, 2023 16:11p.m.

The World Is A Reflection Of The Mind

The World Is A Reflection O...

Tomi Walker

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417

Hi, it's Tomi, thanks for reading & listening to my insights.

A believer. A builder. I help product organizations find zen in the chaos. I believe in the power of the few to transform the world http://www.tomiwalker.com/

Score | 621

Jefferson Nnadiekwe

Freelance scriptwriter and creative photographer

Lagos, Nigeria

We definitely know the fun children's party game of musical chairs. The game we played as kids at basically every birthday party we attended, mostly before we eat our party jollof, served in a variety of colored plastic plates. I was thinking about this game recently, coupled with my knack for wanting to see the symbolism in the most basic things. Then I thought; what if it was more than just a mere children's party game. What if there is a symbolism to be taken from this game. What if the game of musical chairs, is a representation of our struggles and quest for success in the society. Let me explain. First of all, the basics of the game. Each player has to dance around an uneven number of chairs, and vie for a seating position; once the music stops, beating other competitors in the process. Whoever fails to secure a chair, is out of the game. And the game resets itself, and the number of chairs reduced. So, what is the relation with our society? The uneven number of players to the chairs (if there are 8 players, there would be 7 chairs), mirrors how we always struggle and compete for limited resources and opportunities. It is a fact of life, opportunities are limited, insufficient for the people chasing them. The gifts of nature, are few and depleted, compared to the human population. It is always a constant struggle, a battle of the fittest. For example, a company which aims to fill five vacant positions, would get hundreds of applications. The odds are mostly always unkind. Only the sharpest, fittest and sometimes, the most cunning, gets secures his spot. It has and would always be this way; that is just reality. Just like how the game resets with lesser chairs as it progresses, success in life gets tougher as we progress. Opportunities and the chance of success keeps on reducing, and we have to adjust. The journey gets harder, the higher we climb; our odds gets less favourable. And we have to fend off threats in the form of other competitors. The weak links would keep being cut out, as we move. But we cannot quit. It's a continuous cycle, perhaps which is why players move in circular motions during the game. One may ask; 'what about the music?'. Well, I think that is a symbolism of the good times, and bouts of happiness we experience, as we strive for success. We do not go through life, with a permanent scowl on our faces after all. But just like the music in the game, these moments of joy may also serve as a distraction to us. We would have to maintain focus, if we wish to progress. Enjoy yourself a while, but be attentive, so as not to be caught up in the moment. Like the players in the game, you have to know when to make your move. I would like to know your thoughts on this though. Am I overthinking? Or am I on to something?

In Music and Entertainment • 2 min read • Jun 09, 2022 16:29p.m.

WHAT IF MUSICAL CHAIRS WAS MORE THAN JUST A GAME?

WHAT IF MUSICAL CHAIRS WAS ...

Jefferson Nnadiekwe • 4 plays

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