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Fellow Nigerians, Keep Rising – Let’s not allow grief kill Our hope (Part II)

“Our girls” are still missing. Two-hundred-and-something of them. The President of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Johnathan (GEJ) is still yet to give the families of the girls hope, probably except for informing Nigerians that the United States has decided to help. President GEJ granted a media chat on May 4th, 2014. During and after the interview, a lot of Nigerians took their disgust and disappointment at the President to twitter. Many were probably expecting that GEJ’s media chat would bring hope to Nigerians, especially with regard to the case of the missing Chibok girls. However, when the President was asked about the action that he would take to solve the mystery behind the kidnap of the girls and bring them home, he said: The parents need to help us. We are asking that they bring the photo IDs of their children, but they are not co-operating. The most surprising and annoying part of President Johnathan’s answer to that question was when he stated that a high majority of the kidnapped girls are Christians. According to the President, the Muslim parents seemed to be against the idea of giving out the ID of their children because of the rules of their religion, but he did imply that the ‘good news’ is that majority of the kidnapped girls are Christian (who probably do not have that kind of ‘restriction’). Yes, I watched the interview, I thought: So this is my President? The goal is to be one. The goal is to teach Nigerians to love each other irrespective of their differences and beliefs. The goal is not to make biased statements that could lead to dispute among Nigerians. The goal is that the President, who should be the most powerful person in the country would encourage unity and peace among the public which he governs. Why would GEJ be interested in obtaining data on the religion of the kidnapped girls when everyone knows that the Boko Haram group consists of Muslim extremists. Why would the President put some, or most (according to him) of the girls who are already at risk, at greater risk by announcing such to the public. I felt weak and sad after watching President Johnathan’s media chat on May 4th. The relatives of the missing girls must have felt worse. They must feel so let down by someone who should be their hero. Someone who should be Nigerians’ defender. Now, it is confirmed that all we have and need is joint community action (both local and foreign). Nigerians, keep rising. Some weeks ago, I read a report which stated that Nigeria has become the largest economy in Africa. I was overjoyed, till I read that 70% of my people, Nigerians, are living in poverty despite this ‘growth’. The news then became bitter-sweet. A report on this milestone for Nigeria stated that the nation is expected to have a future total GDP of $510 billion based on calculations from 2013. The contributing industries to the expected progression include the film, mobile telephone and music industries of Nigeria. I was born and raised in Nigeria. The people of Nigeria are a hard working people. However, it is time to stop, like the late great Fela Anikulapo Kuti put it, “suffering and smiling”. While we should continue to persuade the federal government to improve Our society and provide more fair opportunities for Nigerians, it is time we worked on our individual talents as well. It is time that you depend on you. Build your own film market; direct movies; construct mobile phones; build your own fashion industry; build your own school. In other words, my fellow Nigerians, keep rising. I, myself, have risen with you.  

My Questions For You

– How are you planning to help the Nigerian people in this time of grief?

– What is it that you do to improve your own community?  

My dear readers, please keep using the hashtags, #BringBackOurGirls & #StopTheBombings. Keep sharing the story of the missing Chibok girls. Also, for those who can, please keep praying for the swift and safe return of “Our girls”.

Love & Peace,

Chiamaka.

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Fellow Nigerians, Keep Rising – Let’s not allow grief kill Our hope (Part I)

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Back in highschool in Nigeria, teaching students about the natural resources which their country possesses was a key part of our teachers’ curriculum. We learnt that this state in Nigeria possesses a lot of coal, the other, petroleum, the other, diamond, and the list goes on. Nigeria is a naturally blessed nation. So even in the midst of all the grief that Nigerians are currently going through, I continue to stick with my mantra: Nigeria never did anything to me, it is some Nigerians IN Nigeria that should check themselves. I developed that mantra because I do not want Nigerians including myself to look down on the Land that We are blessed with. We are lucky to belong to a Land naturally blessed with resources in terms of people, mineral resources and religion. Nigeria is a rich country. Nigeria is the earthly body containing people who were made to be able to take action. The direction Nigeria goes depends on the people it contains. It depends on Nigerians. Grief has been mentioned twice in this article. It is the simplest sorrowful word that I can use to describe the present condition that most Nigerians are in now. About two weeks ago, 234 school girls were kidnapped in Borno State, Nigeria by Boko Haram (a vicious Islamic militant group in Nigeria). The news was received, but as time went on and a majority of these girls had still not returned, Nigerians began to take action. I must say that I am very proud of my people. This has been the first time that I have heard of so many Nigerians coming together to publicly condemn the actions of the Boko Haram group. Women were marching in the rain on Wednesday, April 30th, calling for “our girls” to be brought back. Lots of Nigerians began using the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls on Twitter. I joined in. To my amazement and delight, lots of foreign celebrities joined in using that hashtag and spreading the sad message of the missing girls to others. Nigerians have had enough, so now they have risen. The rain did not stop them. Their togetherness has inspired many including foreigners to take action. This relates to the post from Tuesday in which I wrote that taking your talent or passion public would make a positive impact somehow. I am proud of the Nigerians that action for the sake of “our girls”. While I mention that Nigerians have risen to take action, I refer to the Nigerian public as the President seems to care less about these young girls who have been taken away from their families, their education and have been stripped of their human rights. Nigerians are yet to see the President, Goodluck Johnathan take serious and beneficial action towards the case of these missing girls. His wife demanded that she be addressed as “Mama Peace” some months ago. Where is she now that women need a voice? I am proud of the Nigerian public for seeing that there is power in community. However, I am saddened that the President has yet to learn and is yet to be inspired from the governed. Yes, it is meant to be the other way around, but that is what is recommended in Nigeria, at the moment. Nigerians and supporters of the #BringBackOurGirls movement from all over the world were still grieving when we heard that another bomb blast had occurred at Nyanya, Abuja. That was the same place were Boko Haram bombed and killed people about three weeks ago. As suspected, there were deaths in this second bomb blast. Still the federal government seems nonchalant. Hearts are heavy. Nigerians are grieving. It’s hard for hope to stay in hearts that have been tested by heartbreak on and on again. It is true, but please, Nigerians and all who advocate for peace in Nigeria, let us not allow grief to kill our hope. Continue to use the hashtags – #BringBackOurGirls and #StopTheBombings on your social media networks. You do not have to be Nigerian to feel the pain that looms in Nigeria right now. Do your part and inspire others to advocate for peace in Nigeria. I have hope (though on-and-off), but I do have hope that Nigerians will be rescued. I have hope that Nigerians would be rescued from Boko Haram, bad government and all people and things that are hindering Nigerians from enjoying the fruits of their naturally blessed Land. My fellow Nigerians, please keep rising. I have risen with you all.

Ahh … My heart is heavy. I had to still make sure that I ask you all a few questions, so here we go:

– How are you planning to help the Nigerian people in this time of grief?

– What do you do to maintain peace in your daily lives?

Let me know!

Also, please use the hashtags – #BringBackOurGirls and #StopTheBombings, in one tweet or separate tweets. You can follow me – @Amzy_M and tag me in your tweets. I will retweet you!

Love & peace,

Chiamaka.

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Moving Your Talent(s) Beyond You

We have all probably heard someone say: Everyone is talented in their own way. Maybe you have heard that statement in different wordings, but it is true. Every individual has a talent or has talents. Talent is invisible when it is not being used perhaps because it is yet to be discovered; because of nervousness, doubts or procrastination. Talent is personal. Your talent may be discovered by someone other than you, but it is still personal. You choose whether to gain from your talent, your personal resource or not. Reflect on your hobbies and think of a way to create something big out of one or all of them. If you like to sing, apply to showcase your talent at events, even if it is for free. Use every possible opportunity to express your talent and let people recognize your it. As time goes on, you will be on demand; people will feel the need to express your talent for you. People could eventually pay for your talent, your personal resource, because you have publicized it and they view it to be of value. These hold for whatever your talent is. Talent is personal but when you build upon it with true love and appreciation of your personal resource(s), talent becomes interpersonal. Others will be inspired and motivated by your talent. This is what it should be like. Do not feel that you are better off working for someone till retirement age hits and then there should be nothing to do. Build on your own talent. You can work for the government or for someone while you are also working on your own talent, as long as there is no conflict of interest. Entrepreneurship is where talent takes us. If you choose to be public with your talent, you will take risks; you will have to be open to criticism with the awareness that it sometimes hurts. An entrepreneur has to expect (this expectation may not be instant) even strangers to send moving compliments. What has been personal becomes inter-personal. Michael Jackson and Nelson Mandela are two of my many inspirations when it comes to community service and social justice. Thus, I will call them entrepreneurs as through their publicized personal passion/talent, they motivated and continue to motivate me to use writing to publicize my own passions with the aim of inspiring others to take action. Do not shy away from your talent. It is your personal resource. Each individual probably has more than one talent. Build upon your favourite one, at least. Use your talent to make you stand-out. Use it to make you indispensable. Use it to earn a living. Also, use it to inspire others to use theirs. Remember this: Talent is personal, but when used well, it becomes interpersonal.

My questions for you:

– How do you showcase your talent?

– What are the challenges that you have faced as a result? How did you overcome those challenges?

Love,

Chiamaka.

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Forgiveness: A virtue and a puzzle

Bitterness is a burden, it obstructs you from being the best, most loving person that you can be. The ability to forgive is a virtue. I often hope to consistently possess that virtue, both for the ‘little’ hurts and the ‘great’ ones. Despite my realization that the ability to forgive is a virtue, I struggle to understand how some people are able to forgive specific wrongs that others did against them.

During the weekend, I saw the report that Rubin ‘‘Hurricane’’ Carter has died. You may want to familiarize yourself with the late ex-boxer’s story here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/rubin-hurricane-carter-dead-at-76-1.2616026 I will give you a short but important summary of Carter’s life. He was an ex-boxer who was in prison for 19 years for a crime that he was innocent of. The imprisonment cut short his somewhat promising boxing career. Amongst the people who advocated for Carter’s release from prison were “a group of Canadians”, and Rubin Carter who was born in America settled in Canada after his release from prison. After getting out of imprisonment, Carter became an “advocate for the wrongly convicted …”). He was consistent with this work till his death at the age 76 in Toronto on April 20th, 2014. On his deathbed, he made known his wish that a hearing would be given to David McCullam, who has been imprisoned for 28 years. Carter believed that McCullam is innocent of the crime that he is being convicted of. I do hope that the wish gets granted.

It is unpleasing to think of what a day in prison would be like. Just one day. Then how about 19 years? What an exile. An exile from the love of family, friends, an exile from independence, an exile from gainful opportunities, an exile from freedom. Rubin’s exile was different, he was innocent, not unlike a lot of other convicts and ex-convicts though. His career was cut short just for him to be in a restricting cell, away from the luxuries of fame, again, away from freedom, to be trapped in the perils of bondage for 19 years. After Rubin Carter finally gained freedom, he began a pursuit. Not a pursuit for revenge, but a pursuit for justice for those who were convicted of crimes that they did not commit. A pursuit for redemption for near-martyrs of false accusation. What a heart.

I am not trying to make comparisons here. It’s okay to say that I am just too patriotic to Canada, but I must point out that Canada has a living public example of forgiveness by name, Orlando Bowen. His football career ended when he was brutally attacked by two police officers who had falsely accused him of possessing cocaine. Bowen was later found to be innocent of drug possession (Read story here: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2014/03/30/football_player_who_was_beaten_by_cops_pens_letter_of_forgiveness.html) He is now a motivational speaker, and also a youth mentor through the One Voice One Team organization, in Toronto.

Forgiveness is difficult, and sometimes very difficult, but it paves the way for love to set in. Bitterness is what sets in when you block every thought of forgiveness. Bitterness will affect even those who love and support you. It’s hard to think that individuals like Rubin “Hurricane” Carter and Orlando Bowen would have been positive influences in society, if the inhumane and unjust treatments they received left them bitter.

Don’t fake forgiveness. Work towards it. Think positive every time the negative thoughts come up. Realize that you deserve true happiness within, so don’t let someone’s hurtful words and/or actions make you look down on yourself. Let go of hate and anger, and let your love and positive light keep you and others in need of soul-strengthening, strong. Also, just as forgiveness is a virtue, so are honesty and compassion. Causing people unnecessary suffering is a terrible thing to do.

My questions for you

– What does forgiveness mean to you?

– Who are the people that have motivated you to forgive?

Let me know!

Love,

Chiamaka Mogo.

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Breaking Down The Bricks: There’s A Huge World Out There, You Know?

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Often, I go down memory lane and take myself back to my high school days in my country of birth, Nigeria. In those days, dad would wake me up to go prepare for school, my mum would make sure I ate breakfast, dad would drop me off at school in the morning and he would pick me up at the same spot, at end of the day. I go down memory lane from a current stage of major (not total :)) independence.

My adjustment to independence was shocking to me. As a child, I was greatly pampered by my parents, both of whom I am ever grateful for, but they did not fail to discipline me when I erred. They deliberately made me totally dependent on them and they enjoyed it. Thus, the rate at which I adjusted to independence was and sometimes still is a shocker to me.

I moved to Calgary from Nigeria in 2011 at age 14 to seek university education. I was left with two of my elder siblings, who were now highly independent and working for the government of Canada. After about two months, I decided that I could not keep idle till it was time to get into university by the next year. So, I searched for volunteer opportunities and I finally became a volunteer with the South Calgary Youth Council. There, I was dialoguing with people who possessed a much different culture from mine. They were Canadian. I was just Nigerian not Nigerian-Canadian or so I would introduce myself to people. I started using the bus like a pro. I used to be driven in a car everywhere just a few months ago!

I currently live and school in Ottawa where I have added a few more job experiences to my resume and self-esteem. I am still a volunteer community worker, now an entrepreneur, and also, I am the newly minted Lifestyle Editor for Afri-Culture (an online publication focused on the Ottawa region).

It has hit me now, that the will to fulfill my dreams sedated my self- consciousness, feelings and doubts, and moved me out of my comfort zone and opened me to the world out there, to the people beyond my short-sightedness. I could not do it alone. I am ever thankful to my sister, Ebele Mogo, who continually encourages me to get out of my comfort zone. I actually learnt the phrase – ‘comfort zone’ from her. Then, my parents, friends and other inspiring people that I have met and some I have not met but I have read about or watched.

Today, I encourage you to break off the bricks that surround you. Move out of your comfort zone and find happiness in being uniquely you.

My questions for you: Can you remember who/what made you move out of your comfort zone and how did you find the adjustment?

Love,

Chiamaka Mogo.

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