I have always wanted to capture my one year postgraduate study experience at Cambridge University, but it is one of those things that it is really hard to capture in one page or even explain. There were many angles to it, but today, I will like to give a positive spin to my experience at Cambridge
Was it worth it?
Yes oh! My people, it is definitely worth it
All in all, I would consider my study at Cambridge, the best life lesson I have ever experienced
I learnt that you need to have money, serious money for your voice to be heard
I learnt that you have to be seriously very good at whatever you do, to be heard
I learnt that I have the determination, focus and courage to conquer where my peers have never been, or my parents have ever been.
I learnt that family history is important
I learnt that education and being taught by the best is important
I learnt that the colour of my skin and sex is my weakness, but I can use it to my advantage
I learnt that I don’t have to be right all the time, being wrong sometimes is also a sign of courage
I learnt that I have a lot of guts and I can succeed in any environment
I learnt that a lot of my peers can find me intimidating
I learnt that I can set the pace for my generation
I learnt that I can open any doors and do anything, as long as I try
I learnt that failure is also an important lesson to learn
I learnt that my report writing is not good enough, I don’t pronounce words properly and I need to work on it
I learnt that I need to learn a second language
I learnt that God is able and can do all things, as long as I trust him and wait on him
I learnt that God has a hand in everything I do, so I should be confident in all my decisions
I learnt that success is not given or bought; I sometimes need to fight for it
I learnt that success is only for the brave, determined and for those who seek it
So is it worth it?... it was the best education I ever received
Thursday, 29 November 2007
Wednesday, 28 November 2007
Black Woman with an African accent...the people I met
I have always wanted to capture my one year postgraduate study experience at Cambridge University, but it is one of those things that it is really hard to capture in one page or even explain. There were many angles to it, but today, I will try and capture the people I met.
The people I met
I was very curious about the people, I would meet at Cambridge, and God, was I very disappointed.
I was not disappointed in their intellectual ability or their exposure, but I was very disappointed by their attitude to Black African.
Most people in Oxbridge are snobs. Don’t get be wrong, it is not a myth.
A foreign accent with a dark skin (black), says to them you love rap music, you can dance, you are probably the diversity quota and you should count yourself lucky to have gotten into the university.
A classmate said to me once that he likes hanging out with me, when we go out, ‘cos would make him look cool.
Everyone assumes I can dance and my favourite type of music is rnb and rap music.
Someone said to be once, that my accent may be a barrier, ‘cos people may assume that I have nothing intelligent to say… and I was thinking, I am sure you mean the colour of my skin.
There was a white South African in the class, so were other white skinned foreigners with non-British accent.
The colleges are worse; it is very hard to integrate, unless of course you join one of the clubs or societies
I lived in a 3 floor block apartment, in the college for one year and no one ever spoke to me
I found that most foreigners (excluding British & Americans) feel that they have to keep away from their own.
The lecturers are usually ex-students, so they are Oxbridge all in all
Oxbridge is very biased to their own.
All the Oxbridge undergraduate students were granted full scholarships on the postgraduate course
They are also biased to Scotland. Quite a lot of applicants from Scotland got scholarships
Scholarships are quite subjective, left to the discretion of the course director and governing bodies
Everyone speaks with a “posh” accent
It was like being back to secondary school; there is the element of wanting to be seen as “posh and cool” and it is all about family history and connections.
Summer parties, formal dinners, horse racing, polo, punting etc are the order of the day.
Oxbridge students don’t work. It is discouraged. So, you study very hard and then spend the rest of the partying very hard.
Oxbridge students dodrugs, weed, ecstasy etc.
All in all, for a black woman with an African accent, it was an eye opener.
The people I met
I was very curious about the people, I would meet at Cambridge, and God, was I very disappointed.
I was not disappointed in their intellectual ability or their exposure, but I was very disappointed by their attitude to Black African.
Most people in Oxbridge are snobs. Don’t get be wrong, it is not a myth.
A foreign accent with a dark skin (black), says to them you love rap music, you can dance, you are probably the diversity quota and you should count yourself lucky to have gotten into the university.
A classmate said to me once that he likes hanging out with me, when we go out, ‘cos would make him look cool.
Everyone assumes I can dance and my favourite type of music is rnb and rap music.
Someone said to be once, that my accent may be a barrier, ‘cos people may assume that I have nothing intelligent to say… and I was thinking, I am sure you mean the colour of my skin.
There was a white South African in the class, so were other white skinned foreigners with non-British accent.
The colleges are worse; it is very hard to integrate, unless of course you join one of the clubs or societies
I lived in a 3 floor block apartment, in the college for one year and no one ever spoke to me
I found that most foreigners (excluding British & Americans) feel that they have to keep away from their own.
The lecturers are usually ex-students, so they are Oxbridge all in all
Oxbridge is very biased to their own.
All the Oxbridge undergraduate students were granted full scholarships on the postgraduate course
They are also biased to Scotland. Quite a lot of applicants from Scotland got scholarships
Scholarships are quite subjective, left to the discretion of the course director and governing bodies
Everyone speaks with a “posh” accent
It was like being back to secondary school; there is the element of wanting to be seen as “posh and cool” and it is all about family history and connections.
Summer parties, formal dinners, horse racing, polo, punting etc are the order of the day.
Oxbridge students don’t work. It is discouraged. So, you study very hard and then spend the rest of the partying very hard.
Oxbridge students dodrugs, weed, ecstasy etc.
All in all, for a black woman with an African accent, it was an eye opener.
Tuesday, 27 November 2007
Black Woman with an African accent...how I got into Oxbridge
I have always wanted to capture my one year postgraduate study experience at Cambridge University, but it is one of those things that it is really hard to capture in one page or even explain. There were many angles to it, but today, I will try and capture my experience as a black woman, with an African accent(BWF).
My story:
They say Cambridge was too difficult to get into
It was only for the western elite, the only way Arabs, Asian and African get in, was if they had a lot of money
I was determined to get in, I read about the university, the people that attended and the entry requirements
I was looking for any advantage I could find and I was determined to get in
I applied, 2months into my final year and surprise, surprise, I was called for an interviewing in three weeks
I fasted for 21days, from the day I got the letter till a day before the interview
I went to king cross station and got on the train to Cambridge
I still remember what I wore, a TM Lewin brown stripped shirt, brown pants and brown shoes. Looking a million dollar!
The whole interview was a blur. I don’t remember much
A month later, I got a letter, in a small envelope.
I was sure I was rejected; I did not open the letter, called my boyfriend on the phone and started crying
I cried and cried, and he said “open the letter”. I open the letter and all I saw was “I am pleased to…” I cried again. I got in!
I applied for all my loans and was ready to become an Oxbridge graduate, with no rich parents or money; I was just a determined black, woman with an African accent.
My story:
They say Cambridge was too difficult to get into
It was only for the western elite, the only way Arabs, Asian and African get in, was if they had a lot of money
I was determined to get in, I read about the university, the people that attended and the entry requirements
I was looking for any advantage I could find and I was determined to get in
I applied, 2months into my final year and surprise, surprise, I was called for an interviewing in three weeks
I fasted for 21days, from the day I got the letter till a day before the interview
I went to king cross station and got on the train to Cambridge
I still remember what I wore, a TM Lewin brown stripped shirt, brown pants and brown shoes. Looking a million dollar!
The whole interview was a blur. I don’t remember much
A month later, I got a letter, in a small envelope.
I was sure I was rejected; I did not open the letter, called my boyfriend on the phone and started crying
I cried and cried, and he said “open the letter”. I open the letter and all I saw was “I am pleased to…” I cried again. I got in!
I applied for all my loans and was ready to become an Oxbridge graduate, with no rich parents or money; I was just a determined black, woman with an African accent.
Monday, 26 November 2007
Randomness...Inspired by Bella Naija
Shopping dilemma
Hurray, it is Monday. My weekend was fab! My hussy and I are having a fab time; takes me back to when we first met. Went shopping, shopping and shopping and guess what? I bought absolutely nothing. Same problem, I went out to get a trouser suit, tried out my usual shops, Zara and Mango, but the Zara suits were the same old thing and wasn’t what I was looking for. A found a suit in Mango, which was fab, but the pants were too short. I could take out the seam, but it is a turn-up pants, so I am not sure if I can do this. Even the shop attendants, were not sure either. Hence, I left Bluewater, without buying anything. One of my problems with shopping is that I am very impatient and I have long legs, so I can’t buy pants in any shop.
I am in love, round round I go, am in love
My husband and I are off the Lausanne this weekend, his best friend is graduating from IMD, just completed his MBA. We are really looking forward to it. This will be our 3rd trip together, since getting married and the last two, have not been exactly great. We ended up fighting… imagine that. We are both very strong willed and being together can be very challenging sometimes. I still love him though. He is my better half. He really knows me like no-one else does. We are just in that process of “letting go” to each other and it is one of the hardest phase of a marriage. It could take months or even years. We are working on it.
Waiting on God... waiting for the wind of change, expecting to wind of change
I am waiting on God for two things right now and I am really praying and trying to fast sometimes. All I am hearing from God is “Wait, I will do everything you ask for me”. Like I mentioned earlier, I can be very impatient, but I know that God will do it. God has truly been kind to me, he has always been my provider, but every now and then, the devil’s thoughts creep in and it is really hard to stay focused on God’s eyes. These are my Christmas present and I know God will deliver in time for Christmas. The bible says “As the dogs looks upon the hands of the master for food, and the maiden to her mistress, so shall I do unto him the provider of all” … this is an amalgamation of both a bible verse and mine.
Mama, I just want you to know...Inspired by Mummy Monday
I spoke to my mum last night, after three weeks. I don’t speak to her very often, not anymore. My sister and I fell out and she took my sister’s side, even when she knew my sister was very wrong. I am really struggling to forget the incident and mend my relationship with my mum, but I don’t trust her anymore. For me, trust is fundamental to everything I do. I can stop being friends with anyone, if I don’t trust them. I know she is trying to protect my sisters, but I don’t believe she should do so, at the expense of the truth. Every time I think about it, I wonder what kind of mother I will be like and I know in my heart that I will always stand for the truth, no matter how much it hurts. How can you protect anyone that knows what they are doing and deliberately do the wrong things and hurt other people? It hurts me every time I speak to her, because I want to say things to her, laugh with her, but I simply can not trust her anymore. Don’t get me wrong, I will do anything for her and she is the pillar of my success today and I will not be who I am today. Sometimes, I don’t know if she changed, or she has always been the same person and I just never looked at her faults closely enough, until she hurt me. Can I forgive my mum and move on from this drama?
Hurray, it is Monday. My weekend was fab! My hussy and I are having a fab time; takes me back to when we first met. Went shopping, shopping and shopping and guess what? I bought absolutely nothing. Same problem, I went out to get a trouser suit, tried out my usual shops, Zara and Mango, but the Zara suits were the same old thing and wasn’t what I was looking for. A found a suit in Mango, which was fab, but the pants were too short. I could take out the seam, but it is a turn-up pants, so I am not sure if I can do this. Even the shop attendants, were not sure either. Hence, I left Bluewater, without buying anything. One of my problems with shopping is that I am very impatient and I have long legs, so I can’t buy pants in any shop.
I am in love, round round I go, am in love
My husband and I are off the Lausanne this weekend, his best friend is graduating from IMD, just completed his MBA. We are really looking forward to it. This will be our 3rd trip together, since getting married and the last two, have not been exactly great. We ended up fighting… imagine that. We are both very strong willed and being together can be very challenging sometimes. I still love him though. He is my better half. He really knows me like no-one else does. We are just in that process of “letting go” to each other and it is one of the hardest phase of a marriage. It could take months or even years. We are working on it.
Waiting on God... waiting for the wind of change, expecting to wind of change
I am waiting on God for two things right now and I am really praying and trying to fast sometimes. All I am hearing from God is “Wait, I will do everything you ask for me”. Like I mentioned earlier, I can be very impatient, but I know that God will do it. God has truly been kind to me, he has always been my provider, but every now and then, the devil’s thoughts creep in and it is really hard to stay focused on God’s eyes. These are my Christmas present and I know God will deliver in time for Christmas. The bible says “As the dogs looks upon the hands of the master for food, and the maiden to her mistress, so shall I do unto him the provider of all” … this is an amalgamation of both a bible verse and mine.
Mama, I just want you to know...Inspired by Mummy Monday
I spoke to my mum last night, after three weeks. I don’t speak to her very often, not anymore. My sister and I fell out and she took my sister’s side, even when she knew my sister was very wrong. I am really struggling to forget the incident and mend my relationship with my mum, but I don’t trust her anymore. For me, trust is fundamental to everything I do. I can stop being friends with anyone, if I don’t trust them. I know she is trying to protect my sisters, but I don’t believe she should do so, at the expense of the truth. Every time I think about it, I wonder what kind of mother I will be like and I know in my heart that I will always stand for the truth, no matter how much it hurts. How can you protect anyone that knows what they are doing and deliberately do the wrong things and hurt other people? It hurts me every time I speak to her, because I want to say things to her, laugh with her, but I simply can not trust her anymore. Don’t get me wrong, I will do anything for her and she is the pillar of my success today and I will not be who I am today. Sometimes, I don’t know if she changed, or she has always been the same person and I just never looked at her faults closely enough, until she hurt me. Can I forgive my mum and move on from this drama?
Friday, 23 November 2007
My charity.. what inspires me
I am so excited that some of you are reading my blog. Thanks alot and keep the comments flowing. Someone was interested in the charity program I mentioned in an earlier blog and wanted to know more. Here you go.
About a month ago, I started thinking about my life, questioning what I currently do ( for those that know me well, I am very critical of myself - it is a strong self development trait that I learnt many years ago). I remember when my hubby and I were attending marriage counselling classes and at the last session, our pastor said he would like to introduce us to the head pastor, just for a final word. Well, we met him and there was one thing he said " Pastor xyz has told you all you need to know to prepare for this journey of marriage, but what I would like to add to it is " you need to search, know and understand what your purpose in life is"... At this point, I was thinking" Is this not irrelevant"? It was one of those strange meetings that you don't find useful, because it did not speak to your immediate need, but I remember it. Anyway, it all came back to me a month ago. I started speaking to God about my purpose and what exactly I came into this world to do. About the same time, I started reading Funmi Iyanda's blog and she blogged about her visit to the all saints orphanage in Lagos and it really inspired me.
Also, I had a conversation with one of my long term friends and I am also a godmother to her son. She told me that she has discovered her purpose in life, and that was to go into the church ministry fulltime. She said it was the only think she ever did well, even back at school. This girl is not a bookworm at all. Even during prep, she slept. She was only at her sharpest when she was praying or just worshipping God. Teachers used to say she will never pass or amount to anything. By the way, she is a graduate now, but she was just one of those people that did not have the brains to study. Even though I had my reservations about her going into full time ministry (this is for another time), but I thought she was really brave. She is only 27ys and she made that decision. I admire her, forsaking all pleasures of life (money, career etc.). All these kept me thinking. Trust me, I have things I am doing and things I would like to do, that will keep me occupied until my death, but I was searching for something deeper.
I know that one of my joys in life is to contribute to the development of naija, one way or the other. My passions in this area include manufacturing, consulting and education. Also, I am passionate about the development of children, especially underprivileged ones. So I decided to join forces with Funmi Iyanda, to help this orphanage. The idea to send clothes, books and toys to this orphanage at Christmas, Easter, and the summer was born.
I would like to say that I sent an email to about 10 friends in the UK and 5 of them responded and I have a 32kg of clothes, books and toys, due to be shipped to naija for xmas. I am so grateful to these people. My target for Easter is to get 64kg to the orphanage. Let me know if you can help. I am happy to collect them anywhere in London, wash them, clean them and ship at my own expense. These are used or unwanted clothes, toys, shoes and books for children and maybe adults. God bless you.
About a month ago, I started thinking about my life, questioning what I currently do ( for those that know me well, I am very critical of myself - it is a strong self development trait that I learnt many years ago). I remember when my hubby and I were attending marriage counselling classes and at the last session, our pastor said he would like to introduce us to the head pastor, just for a final word. Well, we met him and there was one thing he said " Pastor xyz has told you all you need to know to prepare for this journey of marriage, but what I would like to add to it is " you need to search, know and understand what your purpose in life is"... At this point, I was thinking" Is this not irrelevant"? It was one of those strange meetings that you don't find useful, because it did not speak to your immediate need, but I remember it. Anyway, it all came back to me a month ago. I started speaking to God about my purpose and what exactly I came into this world to do. About the same time, I started reading Funmi Iyanda's blog and she blogged about her visit to the all saints orphanage in Lagos and it really inspired me.
Also, I had a conversation with one of my long term friends and I am also a godmother to her son. She told me that she has discovered her purpose in life, and that was to go into the church ministry fulltime. She said it was the only think she ever did well, even back at school. This girl is not a bookworm at all. Even during prep, she slept. She was only at her sharpest when she was praying or just worshipping God. Teachers used to say she will never pass or amount to anything. By the way, she is a graduate now, but she was just one of those people that did not have the brains to study. Even though I had my reservations about her going into full time ministry (this is for another time), but I thought she was really brave. She is only 27ys and she made that decision. I admire her, forsaking all pleasures of life (money, career etc.). All these kept me thinking. Trust me, I have things I am doing and things I would like to do, that will keep me occupied until my death, but I was searching for something deeper.
I know that one of my joys in life is to contribute to the development of naija, one way or the other. My passions in this area include manufacturing, consulting and education. Also, I am passionate about the development of children, especially underprivileged ones. So I decided to join forces with Funmi Iyanda, to help this orphanage. The idea to send clothes, books and toys to this orphanage at Christmas, Easter, and the summer was born.
I would like to say that I sent an email to about 10 friends in the UK and 5 of them responded and I have a 32kg of clothes, books and toys, due to be shipped to naija for xmas. I am so grateful to these people. My target for Easter is to get 64kg to the orphanage. Let me know if you can help. I am happy to collect them anywhere in London, wash them, clean them and ship at my own expense. These are used or unwanted clothes, toys, shoes and books for children and maybe adults. God bless you.
Yaradua move on...
OK guys, I don't have a problem with Yaradua, trying to undo the wrongs of Obasanjo, what I have a problem is Yaradua, spending the last 6months of a 4yrears mandate undoing all the wrongs of Obasanjo. Is the bakassi issue with Cameroon really a priority? When Obasanjo was in government, with the agreement of his government (which hopefully consulted all relevant stakeholders), a decisionw as made; Cameroun could have the disputed territory. Now Yaradua, has decided otherwise, saying it did not follow the right process. He now wants to take it through the senate house, has this man forgotten that these were the same people in government when Obasanjo was there? Yaradua's legacy should not be undoing what Obasanjo did, he should focus more on what really affects the common man. Sort out unemployment, bad roads, education, power etc. Our current oil resources should be able to give us these. Who is going to remember for giving us bakassi back?
Tuesday, 20 November 2007
The power of money...
I really understand how people can be arrogant; I just don't get it, especially because they have money. I have been having conversations with this guy, that is suppose to be my friend and we have tried to do a few things in the last 2years, but nothing has come out of it. The guy used to work for minister in naija and he claims to know the right people in Abuja, to do business with. Of course, as long as I am not bribing anyone, I am interested, especially as I would like to go back to naija in the future.
I was suppose to meet this guy at the weekend, but I was at another meeting and I eventually rang this bobo at 5pm, that we can either meet half way in London or postpone our meeting till Monday. I just could not spend another 2 hrs going to see him, with some samples of the products I got from him. Well, the guy was obviously not pleased with it, but he expected me to meet him the next day, a Sunday. Impossible, I don't know where he got that from, but Sunday is spent with my hubby and nothing and no one gets in the way. Anyway, on Monday left the samples at home and rang in as soon as I left home to say I could not see him, as I did not have the samples with me. He did not sound too pleased, but I just ignored him. I could not believe it, when I called in today about meeting up and he just started shouting, he was so rude, he even hung up the phone. Everyone says this guy is arrogant and the money he made in Abuja, rolling with ministers has gotten into his head, but I have never experienced this side of him. I was so mad, so disappointed that someone I respected and held in high esteem could be so rude. No offence, but I make more money that this guy, I am not a lay about, I am better qualified than him, I may not have a fat bank account, family connection or Abuja connection, but I am not a lay about or a loser and I am not begging him for this business. It was a proposal from him, He is not doing me damn favour.
I was so livid today; he called me back later and started ranting about other things. I told him where to stick it, along with his business proposal. I work with a Nigerian based consulting firm, on another project and they have never treated me this. The guy remains my friend, but aspiring woman takes no bullshit from another. I am a go getter and I will make my contacts myself. Let him roast with his bad attitude.
Has any one experienced this kind of treatment, working for naija based people?
Monday, 19 November 2007
The madness continues?:Mini thief thief and Siemens
It has happened again. Some mad people don put naija under the spotlight again. Former communications ministers are involved in bribery allegations by Siemens. Siemens has pleaded guilty and yet the stupid fat cats in naija are denying it. The culprits include: Chief Cornelius Adebayo, Dr. Mohammed Bello, the late Alhaji Haruna Elewi, and Maj.-Gen. Tajudeen Olarewaju (rtd), by the way, they are all Obasanjo's ministers. These four idiots have dragged naija's name to the gutters again, the international media is mopping it up. Nigeria only makes the news in the International community for only two reasons, when there is problem in the Niger delta and when corruption allegations are brought on government ministers .
I hear say Ibori and London Metropolitan(MET) still dey drag allegations of theft and the crazy man is still walking the streets of Nigeria; a completely free man, them never make am alagbon tenant? Delta people are quiet, they are standing up to this original thief thief, this prodigal son. He has laundered Delta people’s in UK banks. My mama na Asaba woman, abi make I go Natwest or Barclays go collect my inheritance?
Where are the UK and European banks in all of these? Siemens did not withdraw millions of pounds in euros and carried it in “Ghana must go bags”, these monies where transmitted via European banks. Where is the European commission in all of these? Where are the people of Brussels and their regulations, accountability and transparency?...
Yaradua wants the case investigated. This man too slow, e go use 4years think about the case and drag it through the courts and nothing will come out of it. After that, the same people will get rid of them. I don tire for naija!
When will things change in my motherland? When will the voice of the people prevail? When will the west practice what they preach in their own country? When would they stop accepting millions and thousands of money, from non-residents and not bothered about the legitimacy of the source? When would my people stand up and speak in one voice? When would my people carry placards and stand up for the truth? When would we have true democracy in all it entirety?
This is my placard oh! This is my protest? This is my cry from Freedom, not from colonial masters, not from poverty, not from war, but from my own people, the generation of my parents. When would the pharaohs of Nigeria let my people go? I no dey wait for Moses again oh!, I am the Moses of my own destiny and my own people and this is my placard. Where is your placard?
I hear say Ibori and London Metropolitan(MET) still dey drag allegations of theft and the crazy man is still walking the streets of Nigeria; a completely free man, them never make am alagbon tenant? Delta people are quiet, they are standing up to this original thief thief, this prodigal son. He has laundered Delta people’s in UK banks. My mama na Asaba woman, abi make I go Natwest or Barclays go collect my inheritance?
Where are the UK and European banks in all of these? Siemens did not withdraw millions of pounds in euros and carried it in “Ghana must go bags”, these monies where transmitted via European banks. Where is the European commission in all of these? Where are the people of Brussels and their regulations, accountability and transparency?...
Yaradua wants the case investigated. This man too slow, e go use 4years think about the case and drag it through the courts and nothing will come out of it. After that, the same people will get rid of them. I don tire for naija!
When will things change in my motherland? When will the voice of the people prevail? When will the west practice what they preach in their own country? When would they stop accepting millions and thousands of money, from non-residents and not bothered about the legitimacy of the source? When would my people stand up and speak in one voice? When would my people carry placards and stand up for the truth? When would we have true democracy in all it entirety?
This is my placard oh! This is my protest? This is my cry from Freedom, not from colonial masters, not from poverty, not from war, but from my own people, the generation of my parents. When would the pharaohs of Nigeria let my people go? I no dey wait for Moses again oh!, I am the Moses of my own destiny and my own people and this is my placard. Where is your placard?
Friday, 16 November 2007
EFFC probe Obasanjo?...Obasanjo dey die?
I hear say EFCC wan probe Obasanjo, oti o , it is not possible, how, wetin happen?, is this naija?, abi obasanjo don catch some serious illness we go kill na before the probe finish?
Yesterday, I was just looking through the world of blogville, and lo and behold, I found some blogs of people that I actually know. Actually, let me rephrase, I got to know them better after I finished reading some of their postings. Very inspirational.. Here is one from women connect
It Friday today and I have spent the last 2 days working from home, being in doors for 2 days is doing my head in, so I am looking forward to tomorrow.
The efn forum will be quite interesting. I received a surprise call from the communications manager today to confirm my attendance for tomorrow and he wanted me to find him at the event, 'cos he has something for me. I will wait and see. One of the things to be discussed tomorrow is ideas for next year, as I will spend tonight looking through the vision of the forum, to put together some of my ideas for tomorrow's discussions. A few things I already have in mind, how we can contribute to development and revival of the manufacturing sector in naija. 'cos to be honest, that is definitely one of the unexploited economic areas in Nigeria. Look at how china has now become the manufacturing hob of the world. We have the cheap labour, the highly skilled people, maybe not the infrastructure (light, good road, water etc.), but naija is one of those countries that you can still make money. Another to put forward is how to create and enable partnering opportunities with corporate organisations in naija, to enable university students in naija use us as a platform to gain paid and unpaid work experience in Nigeria, just before they graduate. So this is not nysc, this is the compulsory industry placement for students.
Yesterday, I was just looking through the world of blogville, and lo and behold, I found some blogs of people that I actually know. Actually, let me rephrase, I got to know them better after I finished reading some of their postings. Very inspirational.. Here is one from women connect
It Friday today and I have spent the last 2 days working from home, being in doors for 2 days is doing my head in, so I am looking forward to tomorrow.
The efn forum will be quite interesting. I received a surprise call from the communications manager today to confirm my attendance for tomorrow and he wanted me to find him at the event, 'cos he has something for me. I will wait and see. One of the things to be discussed tomorrow is ideas for next year, as I will spend tonight looking through the vision of the forum, to put together some of my ideas for tomorrow's discussions. A few things I already have in mind, how we can contribute to development and revival of the manufacturing sector in naija. 'cos to be honest, that is definitely one of the unexploited economic areas in Nigeria. Look at how china has now become the manufacturing hob of the world. We have the cheap labour, the highly skilled people, maybe not the infrastructure (light, good road, water etc.), but naija is one of those countries that you can still make money. Another to put forward is how to create and enable partnering opportunities with corporate organisations in naija, to enable university students in naija use us as a platform to gain paid and unpaid work experience in Nigeria, just before they graduate. So this is not nysc, this is the compulsory industry placement for students.
Thursday, 15 November 2007
Education, literacy in Naija
Life no easy oh. Even though I am working from home today, I am on conference calls back to back. Things are really hectic at work right now, decisions to be made, reports to be written and presentations to complete.
Even though it is Friday tomorrow and the weekend is approaching, I still have alot of things to do. I am off to the engineering forum of Nigeria annual general meeting, I am meeting a friend straight after to talk about a business proposal in naija and then I am going around London to pick up donations for my orphanage project in naija.
In the middle of all these, I am trying to be a good wife and home keeping. Yoruba say “I no go die"... the Lord is my strength.
I am thinking about writing some children books, pre-primary school age, to promote literacy in naija and Africa. I started thinking about this when I met a lovely and very intelligent 2ys 6mth old girl in London recently. She is Nigeria, but in the UK on holiday and her mum bought her one of these "A is for Apple, B is for Boat" books and 'cos she does not live in the UK or in a developed society, she could not relate to some of the things in the book. e.g. “e is for elf",” f is for fairy"... I can imagine naija parents in naija thinking, elf ke!, that is demonic, that is ogbanje or that na witch! The problem with this is her level of awareness of very simple words and a wider vocabulary is limited. I remember when I came back to the UK, I realised that I lacked some basic vocabularies, to help me socially interact with people easily.
I know this is a wide thought, but I guess if I can give the book away free to nursery and primary schools in Nigeria, then I will have to pay for the publishing and distribution of the books itself. The other way to go about it is producing the book, together with another one, which people will receive free when they buy one of them. Another option is to get some form of grant or funding to publish and distribute the book for free. I guess I need to find a funding geared towards media literacy, education, and awareness etc. Any ideas of how to go about doing this in naija and Africa?
I have just seen a charity organisation that produced a cyberbullying DVD and got some corporate organisations and the government pay for the production and distribution to all schools in the UK. You can view the DVD here :http://www.digizen.org/cyberbullying/.
Or if anyone knows a government department, or corporate organisation that would like to support literacy in young children in Nigeria, put them by way.
Even though it is Friday tomorrow and the weekend is approaching, I still have alot of things to do. I am off to the engineering forum of Nigeria annual general meeting, I am meeting a friend straight after to talk about a business proposal in naija and then I am going around London to pick up donations for my orphanage project in naija.
In the middle of all these, I am trying to be a good wife and home keeping. Yoruba say “I no go die"... the Lord is my strength.
I am thinking about writing some children books, pre-primary school age, to promote literacy in naija and Africa. I started thinking about this when I met a lovely and very intelligent 2ys 6mth old girl in London recently. She is Nigeria, but in the UK on holiday and her mum bought her one of these "A is for Apple, B is for Boat" books and 'cos she does not live in the UK or in a developed society, she could not relate to some of the things in the book. e.g. “e is for elf",” f is for fairy"... I can imagine naija parents in naija thinking, elf ke!, that is demonic, that is ogbanje or that na witch! The problem with this is her level of awareness of very simple words and a wider vocabulary is limited. I remember when I came back to the UK, I realised that I lacked some basic vocabularies, to help me socially interact with people easily.
I know this is a wide thought, but I guess if I can give the book away free to nursery and primary schools in Nigeria, then I will have to pay for the publishing and distribution of the books itself. The other way to go about it is producing the book, together with another one, which people will receive free when they buy one of them. Another option is to get some form of grant or funding to publish and distribute the book for free. I guess I need to find a funding geared towards media literacy, education, and awareness etc. Any ideas of how to go about doing this in naija and Africa?
I have just seen a charity organisation that produced a cyberbullying DVD and got some corporate organisations and the government pay for the production and distribution to all schools in the UK. You can view the DVD here :http://www.digizen.org/cyberbullying/.
Or if anyone knows a government department, or corporate organisation that would like to support literacy in young children in Nigeria, put them by way.
Monday, 12 November 2007
Nigeria
A few things today, ex-governors have agreed a pact with EFCC to return stolen loot. I remain shocked at the poor level of accountability in Nigeria. Imagine, "steal and return" and you are free to roam the streets of Nigeria. Mind you, some of these ex-governors, will in future still hold other government posts e.g presidency, senators, ministers etc. Until Nigerians can stand up for themselves and say "enough is enough", the country will continue to be governed by a bunch of greedy and stupid individuals.
I read somewhere that some girls may have been raped at Tu fac survival party and the writer said " it is no surprising, the girls were inapropriately dresses..." In this day and age, a writer or journalist can see nothing wrong in girls being raped because they wear provocative clothes.
Nigeria lost to Glasgow to host the next common wealth games. I am so pleased. Imagine if we won, another opportunity for the fat cats to steal money. We are not ready for this type of competition. I remember what happened when we had the opportunity to host Miss World; all the killings and loss of propertities, because of naked girls during the ramadan!If we host the games, some lunatics will start stirring trouble, asking participates not to wear sports clothes, shorts, swim wears etc. Please Nigeria is not ready to dislay its dirty washing yet again to the rest of the world again Some say, no african country has ever hosted the games, well I understand that and I think a African country should get the opportunity to do so, but Nigeria is not ready. We need to sort out the basic necessities of life ( electricity, food and water) for our 150M citizens.
I read somewhere that some girls may have been raped at Tu fac survival party and the writer said " it is no surprising, the girls were inapropriately dresses..." In this day and age, a writer or journalist can see nothing wrong in girls being raped because they wear provocative clothes.
Nigeria lost to Glasgow to host the next common wealth games. I am so pleased. Imagine if we won, another opportunity for the fat cats to steal money. We are not ready for this type of competition. I remember what happened when we had the opportunity to host Miss World; all the killings and loss of propertities, because of naked girls during the ramadan!If we host the games, some lunatics will start stirring trouble, asking participates not to wear sports clothes, shorts, swim wears etc. Please Nigeria is not ready to dislay its dirty washing yet again to the rest of the world again Some say, no african country has ever hosted the games, well I understand that and I think a African country should get the opportunity to do so, but Nigeria is not ready. We need to sort out the basic necessities of life ( electricity, food and water) for our 150M citizens.
Thursday, 8 November 2007
It is Friday tomorrow
I am so pleased that it is friday tomorrow.
I spend my day at the media literacy conference today. for those that don't know, media literacy is the process of accessing, analyzing, evaluating and creating messages in a wide variety of media modes, genres and forms. It uses an inquiry-based instructional model that encourages people to ask questions about what they watch, see and read.- wiki
The conference was pulled togther a number of speakers across many industries - education, polict, government, media etc and looking at the emergence of web 2.0 - a perceived second generation of web-based communities and hosted services — such as social-networking sites, wikis and folksonomies — which aim to facilitate creativity, collaboration and sharing between users. - wiki. The debate on the risks to children was discussed and how what and where the collective responsibility of ensuring that children and vunerable people can access, enjoy, learn and protect themselves when online.- wiki
More interestingly, the presentation from yemisi blake and jelly ellie was the most inspirational.
I spend my day at the media literacy conference today. for those that don't know, media literacy is the process of accessing, analyzing, evaluating and creating messages in a wide variety of media modes, genres and forms. It uses an inquiry-based instructional model that encourages people to ask questions about what they watch, see and read.- wiki
The conference was pulled togther a number of speakers across many industries - education, polict, government, media etc and looking at the emergence of web 2.0 - a perceived second generation of web-based communities and hosted services — such as social-networking sites, wikis and folksonomies — which aim to facilitate creativity, collaboration and sharing between users. - wiki. The debate on the risks to children was discussed and how what and where the collective responsibility of ensuring that children and vunerable people can access, enjoy, learn and protect themselves when online.- wiki
More interestingly, the presentation from yemisi blake and jelly ellie was the most inspirational.
Tuesday, 6 November 2007
What I am thinking
This week is turning out to be very busy for me. I am in Leeds today, attending meetings, till tomorrow. I might go shopping this evening, to the white rose shopping mall, I hear is very cheap. On my way today, on the virgin train, which by the way did not have a power outlet for my laptop, I started working on my biograghy for the speaking engagement in January. I am not sure what to write and what people will be interested in. I am quite a rookie in the area.Spoke to my husband, for some confidence boost on the phone, about my first attempt at my biograpghy and he said I should start by writing bullet points of what I wanted people in the conference to know. I looked at biogragragh of the other panelist, and these people are "head of something something" and here, I am just a manager. Anyway, I will keep working on it.
I want a new car!, I am on my second car in 4years and I feel like I should get a nice sleek four wheel drive. Too expensive, I know this is not the time to start thinking about this.
I have been thinking about going back to the gym. I have added alot of weight in 8 months. Last year, I lost 2 dress sizes from controlled eating and 3x a week visit to the gym.
My husand & I are off to lausanne, switzerland at the end of the month, for his best friend's graduation. he just completed his MBA, from IMD. My husabnd is studying for his GMAT now, his second attempt and I saw on his laptop last night, a list of the top 6 schools in the world that he will be applying to. I was so nervous, I know he can do it and I am willing him to do it. He is a fantastic person, very disciplined and very focus... I am not sayign this because he is my husband, but any company will be lucky to have him. He is the most incorruptible Nigerian I know. And did I mention that he is a perfectionist!
I want a new car!, I am on my second car in 4years and I feel like I should get a nice sleek four wheel drive. Too expensive, I know this is not the time to start thinking about this.
I have been thinking about going back to the gym. I have added alot of weight in 8 months. Last year, I lost 2 dress sizes from controlled eating and 3x a week visit to the gym.
My husand & I are off to lausanne, switzerland at the end of the month, for his best friend's graduation. he just completed his MBA, from IMD. My husabnd is studying for his GMAT now, his second attempt and I saw on his laptop last night, a list of the top 6 schools in the world that he will be applying to. I was so nervous, I know he can do it and I am willing him to do it. He is a fantastic person, very disciplined and very focus... I am not sayign this because he is my husband, but any company will be lucky to have him. He is the most incorruptible Nigerian I know. And did I mention that he is a perfectionist!
Monday, 5 November 2007
weekend fun
I no dey blog for weeekends at all. My wekend is always packed. I went to the o2 - millenium dome with my best friend this weekend- she came into town for 2 days. We had so much fun, it was hilarious!we did the video thing appearing in spice girls 2 become 2 video. It was mad. Enjoy: http://o2create.migapps.com/o2create/video/mdiyaolu@yahoo.com/hi
Also, I have been speaking to people all weekend to help with my charity work - supporting Nigeria's motherless babies orphanage. My target is to get as many clothes, DVDs, videos and books to these homes in time for christmas. If anyone is reading this blog and would like to help, please let me know.
I went to a friend's party this weekend and I saw some girl that I don't like?, believe me, I don't hate her but I just can't get along with her, so I try to avoid her. She is too superficial. She has the naija girl mentality " suck up to my boyfriend's friends". The girl is just unreal.
I just finished reading the Icarus girl by Helen Oyeyemi and I actually had nightmares about it. Well written book though. I am proud of her. I am starting on The opposite house, by the same author. Wish me luck.
Another exciting thought, I am speaking at a public engagment in January, it is a first for me, so I am very excited. I have been told to send a biograpghy for the conference brochure and I am not sure what to write. Any thoughts anyone?... if there is anyone reading this blog of course.
Also, I have been speaking to people all weekend to help with my charity work - supporting Nigeria's motherless babies orphanage. My target is to get as many clothes, DVDs, videos and books to these homes in time for christmas. If anyone is reading this blog and would like to help, please let me know.
I went to a friend's party this weekend and I saw some girl that I don't like?, believe me, I don't hate her but I just can't get along with her, so I try to avoid her. She is too superficial. She has the naija girl mentality " suck up to my boyfriend's friends". The girl is just unreal.
I just finished reading the Icarus girl by Helen Oyeyemi and I actually had nightmares about it. Well written book though. I am proud of her. I am starting on The opposite house, by the same author. Wish me luck.
Another exciting thought, I am speaking at a public engagment in January, it is a first for me, so I am very excited. I have been told to send a biograpghy for the conference brochure and I am not sure what to write. Any thoughts anyone?... if there is anyone reading this blog of course.
Friday, 2 November 2007
Pictures from Ibadan
My friend sent me a text two days ago, to say she has been receiving calls, from people in Lagos, that the wedding pictures are in "city people"- one of the lagos magazines/tabloids, filled with pictures of "who is who" at any point in time.Enjoy all the pictures are attached.
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