TALKING ABOUT A REVOLUTION


In the African society, there has been much belief that people with disabilities are neglects in the environment, but the signs of our times keep changing as CoCaCola Nigeria, honors special people amongst us that participated in the just concluded 2008 Beijing Paralympics.

The presentation was held on December 7, during the lightening of Africa's tallest Christmas tree. The event presented an opportunity to celebrate opportunity and positivity.The Nigeria's Paralympics gold medalists at the 2008 games, Iyizi Eucharia Njideka, Ray Ishaku, and Lucy Ogechukwu Ejike,were honoured at the two-hour lighting ceremony. The arena erupted in thunderous ovation when these three were called to the stage and became the first recipients of Coca-Cola Nigeria's Live Positively Awards.

A cue should be taken by this bold step taken by CocaCola, Nigeria by government parastatals and other private bodies. Recognitions and Awards will motivate the special people around us, thus helping them to engage in reputable and professional careers, consequently becoming respected people in the Society.

Leadership as it has been addressed several times still remains our problem in Africa. We must move to the next level of motivating special people amongst us and this is calling our leaders to action, not only them but people that have found themselves in a more privileged position. Perhaps, Nigeria is written amongst those awarded gold medals in the 2008 Olympics. When there is proper motivation, then there is a will to achieve a goal.

cited in www.pearlsofafrica.org

WHEN THE SCOURGE IS OVER!!!


Today, the world raises awareness for the AIDS/HIV epidemic, a very important date to keep tabs on,consequently, it will augur well to justify the presence of this deadly virus, that has taken away about 25million people from the surface of the earth since it was discovered in 1981.Much has been done and much has been said; Government policies has been thrown at stopping this virus, and international organizations are not sleeping in abating the consequences of HIV.It is pertinent to know that about 47million are been infected by this HIV Virus, about the population of South Africa. Looking at this figure, it seems a little number of people is living with HIV.If this is the population, isn’t this smaller part of the human race that should be taken care of in no time?



The number of anti-retroviral drugs that flies around officially are increasing everyday, but it seems this virus keep doubling the numbers.However,scientist have not relent in their quest to find a lasting solution to this epidemic, with stem cell research increasing and been approved by government of some countries, really the curing days might be near.

Coming down to Africa, the disease seem to be a plague, not much surprised because developing countries will be caught in a web of crisis, the HIV demise being one in a million.Nevertheless, not much of the leaders of these countries are acquainted with these issues, and if the few that are feel less concerned and doesn't take it as a priority. By 2015, when the Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations is planned to be ending, am sure not much of African countries will meet up. It is just the bitter truth.
Not quite long ago, last month to be precise, the British government announced a grant of a 100million pounds to fight the HIV/AIDS scourge in Nigeria. One will like to ask how much Nigerians live with aids and that If the whole Nigerian population is about 150million, it thus means that these outrageous amounts could provide the whole citizen a retroviral drug. I hope my thoughts won’t fail me.
Moreover, the campaign on using condoms has made people become more promiscuous; since they no there is a protection durex, they use it at anytime. Its quite dishappening seeing the rate of vulnerability rise in our society.Perhaps, abstainance should be upheld in every way and much enlightenment needs to go into this. If you don’t work around it, you can never get it. Good morals should be taught and not the use of preventive methods.Proactiveness means abstinence.

By and large, the international organizations have tried a whole lot, from the United Nations to the World Health Organization and some Non –Governmental Organisation.But much is still to be done especially in developing economies like Africa. Leaders should be enlightened and checked to deliver justifiable services to the grassroot.Much of paperwork is seen, but not much gets down here. It’s pretty sad. Maybe we'll get there. One day, Am sure!

THE REAL ONE'S AMONGST US

As the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria starts their national convention on Sunday, November 23, planning to raise issues that affect them as a citizen and a call on government to take action on their plights, the drums should seem loud in the ears of those at the helm of affairs that people with disabilities are also concerned about leadership and sustainable development in their society.

As part of their agitation, they will be intimating the federal government of Nigeria about the United Nations Convention on Rights of persons with Disabilities. It should be noted that the United Nations presented a white people calling on government of countries to respect the rights of people with disabilities, but this still remain a far cry from the government of Nigeria's activities. Disabled people are still been marginalized in the society.Moreover, in some work places, people with disability are refused to take up non hazardous jobs to their health, and those that have these jobs amongst them are been threatened at work place. It’s quite displeasing that banks in Nigeria have not made passage into banks accessible for transactions by disabled people.Nevertheless, this association might be the mouth piece for the disabled people, it should not stop there, it is pertinent for them to intervene and alleviate the suffering of people with disabilities by agitating for the basic needs of people with disabilities in Nigeria. Education is prior, as such, the Nigerian government should be able to provide schools for the less privileged, it could be formal or informal education centre’s because that will be the sit of knowledge, consequently, we’ll start to see less privileged people pulling out of the streets and getting their brains working for them.

The truth about this is just that nobody is taking into cognizance the plight of the privileged people in Nigeria, and there are some development which can be tapped into by less privileged and disabled people; Associations should wake up, and reach out to private bodies which could complement them with their social responsibilities, with infrastructures that will impact knowledge into people with disabilities.Perhaps, the world will be a better place if we all can live in a society where the other man is not been deprived but given hope to and empowered.

HUMANITARIAN APPEAL FOR AFRICA

In a quest to alleviate poverty and meet up with the Millennium Developmental Goals, the United Nations on November 20, in a meeting with donors, civil society groups and non-governmental organizations in Geneva, appealed for a 7billion dollar humanitarian aid in 2009.

It was said that part of the fund will be directed to feed 2.3 million people affected by conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where recently there has been an intense fighting that has escalated to displacing people from their homes and a serious epidemic looms. Moreover, 4.5 million people of Darfur in Sudan too will be enjoying a life-saving help from the United Nations, these amounts to 4.5% of the total population of Sudan. Not only that, the fund will be use to provide protection and assistance to about 1million of refugees and displaced people in Eastern Chad.Water,medicines,shelter and emergency schooling will also be provided to 3million conflict-affected Somalis.

Outrightly, it has been said that aids to Africa keep increasing every year from international organisations, multinationals, and charity foundations but development are not feasible in this part of the world. A question that leaders in Africa should begin to ponder about; afterall, there is the infant African Union that seems to create policies for good leadership in Africa. Much more, is the amount of human crisis that is been felt in Africa.

If the UN claims not to deal with government of countries, they should be able to do proper auditing of all these aids and grants that come into Africa every now and then. Is it that the NGO's are mismanaging the funds or is it a question of attitude towards implementing these figures seen on the pages of our papers everyday? One must ask "which way Africa?"-leadership or International organisations.Perhaps,it tends towards the attitude and vision that is out of place in our leadership.Therefore,if Somalia,DRC,Sudan and Chad are to be benefiting from these largesse, there should be proper monitoring of these funds to achieve the goals it was meant for.