Peace-less in Africa

Wikipedia: About 50,000 dead in 2014 in South Sudan alone.

The other hottest spots in 2014 are in the Middle East - Syria and Iraq.
The slow-burning Afghanistan and Pakistan conflicts continue, 
while Nigeria's 'Boko Haram' now matches the Israel-Paletsine conflict in fatality.  
New or intensified conflict in Ukraine, Libya, and the Central African Republic, but violence tapering off in Mexico and Somalia, thank God.      
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The Future of Africa is beautiful

 Created by the publishers of Y!, The Future Awards reflect our most positive youthful selves. 

A 2010 Y! Magazine Cover

See the 2014 awardees. 

NEWSBUKA for all the burning topics in Nigerian politics and society. GeT FREE EmAiL UpDaTeS"

It's time for women in politics

READ:

A 

CASE 

FOR 

WOMEN 

IN 

POLITICS

 by Business Day Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Nigerian Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison-Madueke has been named to a one-year term as Conference President of OPEC.  

OPEC's first female President

NEWSBUKA for all the burning topics in Nigerian politics and society. GeT FREE EmAiL UpDaTeS"

Ready. Set. Grow?

1.
 "A dEEp thinker

Yeah my thoughts stay SuBMerged menn

'cos anytime they surface, 

they become a 

MERMAID"

- Ghost (SDC) 

in Free My Mind (Shalala)

2.
Ready Writer http://write4niaja.blogspot.com was a 2009-2010 blog by Ferdy Adimefe
In the intro: my unedited reflections, thoughts and feelings...about my beloved country Nigeria...I am soaked by the fluid of thoughts from interactions with people and my environment..."

On the Enough-is-Enough youth march on the National Assembly: ...my mother’s sage warning, “I know I can’t get you not to go, but please sandwich yourself in the middle.”

Is Life Fair?: God will not stop life from happening to us; he only gets us through life

On THE INTERFACE: There is a creative economy in Nigeria that needs to be developed...

On Making History: I believe it is high time we came away from the passive and talking attitude, and let us put our hands to the plow.  

On Social Media: The World Has Changed...so should our strategy...

ON Strategy: how a battle is fought is a matter of tactics; whether it should be fought at all is a matter of strategy. 

3. 
NEWSBUKA for all the burning topics in Nigerian politics and society. GeT FREE EmAiL UpDaTeS"

The gist around town

Let me (Brymo) tell (sing) you a story.
NEWSBUKA for all the burning topics in Nigerian politics and society. GeT FREE EmAiL UpDaTeS"

APRM: assessing policy and practice, process and performance in African government.

Member Countries: aprm-au.org

 ...Accordingly, we the participating Heads of State and Government of the member states of the African Union have agreed to work together in policy and action in pursuit of the following objectives:-
• Democracy and Good Political Governance 
• Economic and Corporate Governance 
• Socio-Economic Development 
• African Peer Review Mechanism (Revised APRM questionnaire 2012)
- Durban SA, 2002 (Full pdf of Declaration)

NEWSBUKA for all the burning topics in Nigerian politics and society. GeT FREE EmAiL UpDaTeS"

Massive help needed, urgently, to contain Ebola

Ebola is now 'entrenched and accelerating' in three West African countries, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.  Thousands have died, including hundreds of health workers.


NEWSBUKA for all the burning topics in Nigerian politics and society. GeT FREE EmAiL UpDaTeS"

The broom and the umbrella, a Nigerian tale

See why they're called parties :) 
Who're you gonna vote?  
NEWSBUKA for all the burning topics in Nigerian politics and society. GeT FREE EmAiL UpDaTeS"

Merry Independence Anniversary, Nigeria!

Fifty-four years ago now, the British colonialists moved off and let us be.

Seventy-five years before that, the demands of empire - for land and territory, slaves and resources - had made them lay claim to these parts.

Anyway, we were here before.  We remain here after.  Life is good.   

NEWSBUKA for all the burning topics in Nigerian politics and society. GeT FREE EmAiL UpDaTeS"

The Young Ones Are Doing Science

There was a contest in 2013-2014

Infinity Generator by Epetedo Senior School, Lagos Island wins 1st edition of the #IdeasLagos competition pic.twitter.com/Waictk63LX
— Innovate Lagos (@InnovateLagos) August 1, 2014

Congrats to #Innovatelagos mentor Mr Lawal(teacher) & students Doregos Academy Lagos winners 2014National ScienceFair http://t.co/qCvPYvCCxq
— Innovate Lagos (@InnovateLagos) February 27, 2014

...acidified water powered generator #ideaslagos finals pic.twitter.com/NHinB8dvw4
— Innovate Lagos (@InnovateLagos) August 1, 2014

...innovative underground drainage system #ideaslagos finals pic.twitter.com/YKgXH7O6LW
— Innovate Lagos (@InnovateLagos) August 1, 2014

...rechargable refrigerator #ideaslagos finals pic.twitter.com/EbFxZReHTT
— Innovate Lagos (@InnovateLagos) August 1, 2014

...Infinity Generator #Ideaslagos finals pic.twitter.com/LgyKtKdj4L
— Innovate Lagos (@InnovateLagos) August 1, 2014

KingsCollege students preparn for #IdeasLagos finals@end of mentor session w/ mentor&architect Tosin Osinowo pic.twitter.com/fsUQ6TPPTY
— Innovate Lagos (@InnovateLagos) February 26, 2014

...energy solutions for cities http://t.co/LEulIxeCfe
— Innovate Lagos (@InnovateLagos) March 20, 2014

Girls Emerge Tops at 11th National Maths Competition, #Nigeria - http://t.co/cIpSq3uf1n #STEM
— Innovate Lagos (@InnovateLagos) March 16, 2014

See TECH HUBS @cc_Hub (site) and @ideaNG (site, past) both of Sabo, Yaba in Lagos.

#Lagos joins the 2014 international @spaceapps challenge! So Excited! #Africa joins the conversation on #Space
— Space Apps Lagos (@spaceappslag) March 3, 2014

Finalists in#IdeasLagos Competition Lafiaji Schl rcvd prizes today. Now getting set for last phase in March pic.twitter.com/kZD0dD4n2x
— Innovate Lagos (@InnovateLagos) February 19, 2014

Lagos-based Maliyo and Kuluya set to conquer the African video-game market http://t.co/XbLiGaECsU
— Innovate Lagos (@InnovateLagos) March 10, 2014

Great stuff! Lagos gets 2 accelerators within a week. @440LTD and Leadpath Nigeria http://t.co/YA0Obqg9GS
— Innovate Lagos (@InnovateLagos) March 7, 2014

RT @iDEAng: AND WE HAVE A WINNER OF THE #OPENDATANIGERIA 2014. @integrahealth TEAM iQube pic.twitter.com/MaqWa4gmDs
— Innovate Lagos (@InnovateLagos) February 22, 2014

RT @iDEAng: Hackers hacking away at Nigeria's premier health hackathon #OpenDataNigeria @ngrcommtech @PHN_alliance pic.twitter.com/5dlXWyYBmR
— Innovate Lagos (@InnovateLagos) February 22, 2014

"My greatest joy is in helping businesses become bankable and successful" - @oluozone @wennovation #SMWMyJourney pic.twitter.com/eM7wLK9gwo
— Enterprise Creative (@EntCreativeNG) February 20, 2014

The youngest team that made it to the top12 but not d finals is Epetedo JnrSchl-http://t.co/hDTMlWh6g5 Theyll rcv a prize for exemplary work
— Innovate Lagos (@InnovateLagos) February 12, 2014

Sometimes I was in the room. Proud :)

Today,the 12 shortlisted #IdeasLagos groups defended their projects 2 panel of judges who'll select the best 5 pic.twitter.com/AbO7WZwb3a
— Innovate Lagos (@InnovateLagos) February 11, 2014

Nigeria's award winning engineer Ms Tosin Otitoju with Urine2PowerGenerator kids @innovatelagos mentors session tday pic.twitter.com/wOBgzUfF8M
— Innovate Lagos (@InnovateLagos) January 30, 2014

#IdeasLagos top 12 young groups completed their project presentations to #competition jury today. #innovation pic.twitter.com/Y3Arli6dmH
— Innovate Lagos (@InnovateLagos) February 11, 2014

Dozens of people and organizations behind the scenes.

Kid Inventors Day, Lagos 17 January 2014: http://t.co/oeFC7B2GwD via @TheNationNews @YoungEngineers1
— Innovate Lagos (@InnovateLagos) January 31, 2014

#IDEASLAGOS : From 749 ideas we shortlisted 25 ideas.The public then voted for these 10 http://t.co/WjNyNVc7qt to proceed to stage 3.
— Innovate Lagos (@InnovateLagos) January 26, 2014

Kid Inventor's Day at Lagos E- learning Centre 17 Jan 2014 @youngengineers1 pic.twitter.com/Be78T7ccPw
— Innovate Lagos (@InnovateLagos) January 18, 2014

Lagos Kids Invent!! ..@YoungEngineers1 pic.twitter.com/ilAiUuRjdn
— Innovate Lagos (@InnovateLagos) January 18, 2014

Students from Lagos Schools at the Kid Inventor's Day organised by @YoungEngineers1 & innovatelagos yesterday pic.twitter.com/yHW4qohpBI
— Innovate Lagos (@InnovateLagos) January 18, 2014

InnovateLagos appreciates the time you took to vote for students in Stage 2 of #IdeasLagos. Thank you for your support.
— Innovate Lagos (@InnovateLagos) January 15, 2014

To the best team in the world doing all the amazn work @innovatelagos >> @RemiButtons @Dotun_Adio @nelletam Raff, Chinedu, Uju Thank u!
— Moji Rhodes (@speaklagos) December 11, 2013

NEWSBUKA for all the burning topics in Nigerian politics and society. GeT FREE EmAiL UpDaTeS"

Women As Lovers

It's an ugly term, body count, a bit like the aftermath of a fierce battle or natural disaster.  Still, a very intelligent essay.
More such essays at #NHBi and NHBiBlog.

NEWSBUKA for all the burning topics in Nigerian politics and society. GeT FREE EmAiL UpDaTeS"

Public service. The field of elective politics. Comments.

SPEECH: The Stakes And The Imperatives by Dr @kfayemi at the @gotning Emerging Leaders Conference in Abuja #ELCAbuja http://t.co/atKjTez4Ph
— Kayode Fayemi (@kfayemi) August 30, 2014

When good & competent people refuse to engage in public service, the bad & the incompetent take their places and we all suffer for it.
— Kayode Fayemi (@kfayemi) August 30, 2014

Thus, the proposition that politics and public service are the preserve of knaves becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. #ELCAbuja
— Kayode Fayemi (@kfayemi) August 30, 2014

Our ability to execute change is entirely dependent on what we do in the field. ~ JKF #ELCAbuja
— Kayode Fayemi (@kfayemi) August 30, 2014

Elective Politics is contending for the fate of your society with the weapons of your values and ideological convictions. ~ JKF #ELCAbuja
— Kayode Fayemi (@kfayemi) August 30, 2014

NEWSBUKA for all the burning topics in Nigerian politics and society. GeT FREE EmAiL UpDaTeS"

We the people. We the wonderful powerful people.

Weird MC says
"I believe in putting Africa on the map."

“Sometimes I even do stuff in my Ijebu mother tongue because it’s about pushing our culture too”

“I was heavily involved in the social media [electoral] campaign” [More]

 “not sure, but...what I know is that...If I go into politics, I’ll be hardcore, non-nonsense…" 

NEWSBUKA for all the burning topics in Nigerian politics and society. GeT FREE EmAiL UpDaTeS"

Spy Story - Lagos 2014

There was a political gathering - this I know because an inexplicable number of new or newish cars of various makes and colours (Kia, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai) were parked in a neat row on the street; a few had party flags/logos inside.  Minor election, obviously.  For a major election, the cars would be black SUVs.  With armed police escorts and bulletproofing and no chance of seeing what's inside.  Anyway... 

There were spies - this I SUSPECT because across the street from the cars, I passed two youngsters fiddling with a contraption of metal and dials.  I couldn't look long enough to be sure; maybe it was safer to mind my business.  

Will elections be decided by public vote on issues and manifestos, or by the ground tactics of a few operatives?

NEWSBUKA for all the burning topics in Nigerian politics and society. GeT FREE EmAiL UpDaTeS"

Ebola on top of Boko Haram

You scare yet?  I scare.  

Historically, the viral disease Ebola has killed majority of the roughly 2,000 people known to have contracted it.  There seems to be something like an experimental cure now.  We'll be ok.

Boko Haram terror continues.  The most devastating episodes have occurred in North East Nigeria, wiping out whole families, emptying out whole towns.  

NEWSBUKA for all the burning topics in Nigerian politics and society.

Happy 60th Birthday Angela Merkel

She is Chancellor of Germany since 2005, a former physicist, a football fan, and one of Europe's most powerful people.  

See also 
the president of the other World Cup 2014 finalist Argentina - Cristina Ferandez de Kirchner, 
and the president of host country and semifinalist Brazil - Dilma Rousseff.  
Regarding the third-place winner, 
the Dutch Prime Minister (named Mark Rutte) is not a woman.
NEWSBUKA for all the burning topics in Nigerian politics and society.

Tears and Joy and Football and Hope - The Saga of Nigeria

Ije Oma / Go Eagles! is a new song and video by Ucee Black.   It will get you in Supporters' Club spirit right away!
In Igbo, Ije is a journey, Oma is good, and so this song is a hope for a fantastic outing for our team at the 2014 world cup in Rio de Janeiro Brazil.

Also, listen to Tears for Nigeria by Ice Prince. We need to stop the violence.
God bless Nigeria.

NEWSBUKA for all the burning topics in Nigerian politics and society.

NewsBuka NewsBuka News Buka

Do not despise these small beginnings...

Newsbuka today

...for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.
Zechariah 4:10

NEWSBUKA for all the burning topics in Nigerian politics and society.

Also try:
UpNaira for money, career, business, and economic development
REALbubbler for Lifestyle from Arts to Zen

How do you vote?

One year in uni, I had a tough choice in voting for the Student Association leadership.

 Access
One pair of candidates came from my community i.e. both candidates were fellow engineering students.  Since I saw them every day, they could easily be reached with feedback and would altogether have interests aligned with mine.
 Homeland
One pair included a Nigerian, even if both candidates were from another clan on campus - business.  I don't think engineers really trust business people for they bamboozle with talk and appearances even if they won't do any real problem-solving :) but I suppose blood is thicker and I should support my countryperson when on foreign soil?  
Victory
The third pair was from the college of arts and sciences, the biggest college in the school, and was definitely going to win because well, Arts and Sciences owned the heart of campus, geographically, historically, demographically, etc.

Which pair did I give my vote?  Access, Homeland, or Victory?
Which would you have voted for? 

NEWSBUKA for all the burning topics in Nigerian politics and society.

Talk-Talk in Abuja

Two important conferences began yesterday.

1. The National Conference (see list of delegates, see news updates) is three months long.
Topic: Articulate and possibly Resolve Nigeria's Constitutional Challenges...but we're not splitting up. 

2. The 20th NES, Nigerian Economic Summit is three days long. 
Topic: Education.  Will push for permanent structural changes that would allow the development of 21st century skills in Nigerian children.

You need to participate! This is your chance: watch #NES20 live on @Channels_TV. 18 - 20 March.
— OloriSupergal.com (@OloriSupergal) March 18, 2014

The highest ranked #Nigerian Uni, #OAU, has a low global ranking of 1,926. How can we turn this around? Join #NES20. 18 - 20 March 2014
— Red Media Ltd (@RedMediaAfrica) March 18, 2014

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Admit it. You're in the intelligentsia.

in·tel·li·gent·si·a  (ĭn-tĕl′ə-jĕnt′sē-ə, -gĕnt′-) n. The intellectual elite of a society. (The Free Dictionary)

in·tel·li·gent·sia noun \in-ˌte-lə-ˈjen(t)-sē-ə, -ˈgen(t)-\ : a group of intelligent and well-educated people who guide or try to guide the political, artistic, or social development of their society (Merriam-Webster)

The intelligentsia, from Latin: intellegentia (Polish: inteligencja, Russian: интеллигенция,[1] pronounced [ɪntʲɪlʲɪˈɡʲentsɨjə]) is a social class of people engaged in complex mental labour aimed at disseminating culture.
This therefore might include everyone from artists to school teachers.  (See Wikipedia for more)

To what extent do you think this term applies to a mostly-young intellectual and creative class in Nigeria?

If #SMWLagos or #SocialMediaWeek is your thing, you're probably intelligentsia. 

NEWSBUKA for all the burning topics in Nigerian politics and society.

President for a year

"At the very heart of the people, I felt this desire to elect a woman who could bring peace and reconciliation."

Catherine Samba-Panza, interim president of Central African Republic

1954 born 26 June in Chad. Samba-Panza's father is from Cameroon, her mother is from the CAR.
1972 moved to CAR aged 18 and worked in insurance and as a corporate lawyer. Was active in a women's rights organisation, campaigning against female genital mutilation.
2003 formally entered politics and chaired a reconciliation process aimed at bringing the country's different groups together. Said that the violence between Christian and Muslim groups had its roots in poverty.
2012 became the mayor of Bangui.
2014 sworn in as interim president of CAR on 23 January. She is the first woman to hold the post.

Sources:
Words -  UK Guardian: Central African Republic's 'Mother Courage' fights to bring peace where men have failed.
Image - The Economist: Africa's third female president / Central African Republic under new management. 

NEWSBUKA for all the burning topics in Nigerian politics and society.