Expat NGO workers and volunteers in Kenya urged to go home

 I read a brilliantly articulated article by Lily Kuo.  In the article, she raised a lot of issues about the development industry. The article demonstrates the aspect of Neo colonialism that is now propagated as 'development interventions' in Africa. The article also highlights the resentment to what is termed the ‘White saviour complex’.  Issues raised included the pay discrepancy between the expat NGO and local workers as well as hiring foreign workers when there are over qualified Kenyans. 

When people talk about development projects in African countries and the NGOs who are seen to be doing ‘good’ in these communities, there is often some suspicion that comes with the motives of these ‘altruistic’ organisations. In many African countries, many foreign workers live in gated communities, living a life of luxury while many of the people in the host country wallow in abject poverty. There is a dissonance between the agendas of some NGOs and the lifestyle that the workers live. 

The problem really in Africa is not the NGOs and the expat workers. Antecedent to NGOs are the various communities that do not have any connections with the government and without the help of NGOs, these communities risk devastation.  There are several examples of NGO contribution to development especially in poor communities. I understand the issues of transferring and building local capacities. There is also the need to bridge the pay gap between the foreign and local workers. However, a great move should be in holding the African leadership to account, promoting good governance and working together for the good of the communities.

Read article: http://qz.com/716518/kenya-is-pressuring-thousands-of-expat-ngo-workers-and-volunteers-to-go-home/

Nigeria - Military rains bombs on Ijaw militants in South-West

It has been reported that no fewer than 100 people suspected to be militants have been reportedly killed as the Nigerian military on Saturday continued the aerial bombardment of Fatola, the base of militants and pipeline vandals in the Arepo area of Ogun State.

The perennial issues of the Niger Delta needs to be addressed and taken seriously by the Nigerian government. The oil in Nigeria has proved to be a curse rather than a blessing. For a country that has enjoyed immense wealth from oil revenues, it should not have been an issue to invest heavily on the oil producing states. Corruption, embezzlement, ethnicity, nepotism and lackadaisical attitudes are some of what has made the states what they are today. 

It is so easy to wheel out the military to quench the agitations and uprising of trouble makers. Years of neglect and underdevelopment has contributed to the state of things in the Niger Delta. How can these be reversed? 

News: Punch Nigeria. Read more:http://punchng.com/military-rains-bombs-ijaw-militants-south-west/  

UN not serious to provide relief support for IDPs- Northern clerics

Following reports by the children’s agency of the United Nations, UNICEF, that it is pulling out its aid workers from the north east region after Boko Haram reportedly ambushed their convoy, the Northern Inter-Faith and Religious Organizations for Peace (NIFROM) has said the world humanitarian body was never ready to provide relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the north east.

The group which condemned the attack in its strongest term, however said the attack was just a deliberate excuse for the U.N. to suspend its relief operations and pull out its workers.

One of the clerics said, “It is hypocritical that the same world body that that did not do the needful to halt Boko Haram’s rise are the same agencies that are today making a show of providing relief to affected persons. Had there been a prompt international response to the threat of Boko Haram in the initial stage we would not be at this point now.

“The feeling we have is that the attack provided a much needed excuse for these agencies that have no interest in doing anything for the tens of thousands of people dislocated by Boko Haram. Had there been no attack it would have been a question of time before they cook up another excuse that would have still been used to suspend the so-called humanitarian efforts.”

“The amounts allocated for the North East would have done something meaningful towards rehabilitating the population had the institution, the National Assembly, that Dr Saraki presides over as chairman performed its oversight functions diligently and curb the corruption associated with local relief efforts. 

“For those who do not understand our grouse, the Senate President and the UN have been insensitive to what happens in the North East over the years. Many Nigerians have been killed and or maimed on the same road by terrorists in the past without them taking any notice neither did they show the sympathy now being shown to the aid workers. For us this is hypocrisy at work.

“We therefore urge Nigerians to accept that it is their responsibility to rise up to the challenge and support their brethren. It is now glaring that we must forget about the inadequate and often strung out humanitarian assistance that serves no purpose other than providing photo ops for those behind them,” he said.

Strange to blame the UN for not halting the rise of Boko Haram! The Nigerian government needs to be seen to be interested in the plight of its people. I am getting mad with their lackadaisical attitude. The government needs to do more and not live up to its reputation of constant disavowal of its responsibilities. It is not acceptable that children and people should be dying of hunger yet the clerics are blaming an external organisation for not doing much. The blame should be on Nigeria, it's communities, religious leaders and the government for not doing enough!

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/07/boko-haram-un-not-serious-to-provide-relief-support-for-idps-northern-clerics/

Texas hot air balloon crash: 'No survivors' among 16 on board

A hot air balloon has caught fire and crashed in the US state of Texas, killing all 16 people on board, local media say.

Aviation officials said the balloon came down near Lockhart, south of the city of Austin, after catching fire.

Texas media, quoting the sheriff in Caldwell County, said there did not appear to be any survivors.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) statement said the balloon came down in a field at about 07:40 (12:40 GMT).

FAA investigators are on their way. The National Transportation Safety Board will eventually take over the inquiry.

Culled from BBC News

Sweden to investigate sex lives

Sweden is launching a three-year official study of its citizens' sex lives - the first for 20 years.

Health Minister Gabriel Wikstrom said sexual health policy should be guided not just by the problems, but also by the pleasurable aspects of sex.

Surveys done by tabloid newspapers suggest Swedes are having less sex, he wrote in the daily Dagens Nyheter. The new study should find out if that is true, and if so why, he said.

Stress could be a problem, he said.

The study will be conducted by Sweden's Public Health Agency, with the final report expected in June 2019.

Mr Wikstrom said it was "paradoxical that, while our whole society seems permeated by sex, in everything from advertising and social media to much of daily life, the topic is still shrouded by shame... and absent from the political debate".

Focusing on problems such as venereal disease, unwanted pregnancies and rape, to the exclusion of positive sexual experiences, risked distorting health policy, he said.

"How can we change attitudes," he asked, "when so many people, from parents and teachers to senior officials, are so obviously uncomfortable when talking about sex?"

Culled from BBC News. Read:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36924822

How true is this?

Breaking News: Explosion outside refugee and migrant office in Zirndorf, Germany!

An explosion has been reported outside a government office for migration and refugees in Germany. A suitcase was thought to be the source of the blast outside the office.

No information on injuries has been made.



Culled from the Independent.

Jihadists threaten 'London is next'

News coming in from Evening Standard is that Jihadists have issued threats to London saftey after a spate of horrific terror attacks hit Europe.

This world! I don't just get it!

Obama's half-brother Malik announces he is voting for Donald Trump!

President Obama's half-brother Malik has announced that he is voting for Donald Trump in the next election.

It was reported that Malik said he was voting for the Republican candidate because 'he speaks from the heart.'

'Make America Great Again is a great slogan,' he said. 'I would like to meet (Trump).'

The former Democrat voter said he was voting for a Republican after feeling 'deep disappointment' at his half-brother's presidency.

Malik Obama

Barack Obama

 Dear Malik, who you vote for is inconsequential in the larger realm of things. Archetypical of ungrateful relatives that sulk when things are not done their way!

Culled from Daily Mail. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3705744/President-Obama-s-half-brother-Malik-announces-voting-Donald-Trump.html#ixzz4FbaiW8ib

Biggest ransom demand in Brazil history!

Kidnappers are demanding £28 million for the return of formula one mogul Bernie Ecclestone's mother in law!

It was reported that she was kidnapped on Friday night near her home in Sao Paulo.

What a world! Kidnapping an elderly woman to make some money.

Word!

Is the world coming to an end?

Why is there so much evil? It is one evil after the other.

I just read that two armed men took hostages at a church near Rouen in northern France. Then in Japan, nineteen residents were killed in a knife attack at a care centre for people with mental disabilities in the city of Sagamihara. In Somalia, at least 10 people have been killed in two car bomb attacks near an entrance to the airport in Mogadishu. 

My head was just taking in the atrocity that took place in France and Germany and then all these!

What is going on?

What a great orator Michelle Obama is!

I listened to this intelligent woman speak and I was in awe. Such eloquence in her manner of delivery. The power of a strong speech, the passion and the drive in the speech just drew me and I almost had a tear in my eye. She is one of the few strong intelligent women that I look up to. I have met some women that are gifted with the gift of oratory and amazing at the same time.

I loved this piece of her speech "Don't stoop to their level. Our motto is, when they go low, we go high."

Click the link below to watch her speech!


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-36891495

Musings of an avid learner!

I have been doing a lot of reflections lately. I have been thinking about the things I would love to achieve and projects I would love to get involved in. I have so many amazing intellectual people around me who are doing amazing things. I love the way they push me to maximise and utilise my potentials. I know I have great potentials and drive but these people give me the extra push.

I have few projects that I plan to get involved in. At the moment, I am doing a lot of reading and writing. I am glad that I am surrounded by amazing people who do not see my pursuit to make my contributions as a competition with them. They let me have my space in my sphere and help in to soar higher and higher.

On another note, my wonderful man who knows how much I love to read and how much I love books written by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie surprised me. He got me Americanah by Chimamanda! I am in heaven! I shall open the pages of this book and begin my journey into the world of the characters in it.

Americanna, open your world to me.


Please do support my crowdfunding page: https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/lilian-schofield


How was your Monday?

Syrian asylum seeker blows himself up in Germany

A failed Syrian asylum seeker has blown himself up and injured 12 other people with a backpack bomb near a festival in the south German town of Ansbach.

The state of Bavaria's interior minister said the 27-year-old man had detonated the device after being refused entry to the music festival.

About 2,500 people were evacuated from the venue after the explosion.

Culled from BBC News: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36880758

Happy Sunday!

I hope you are having a lovely day? The weather is beautiful over here and I am loving spending time with my loved ones. My sister recommended a wonderful song for me to listen to. I enjoyed listening to it and decided to share it with you. Enjoy!

This is a Nigerian artist called Phyno!

Love this!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BIHZ1G2D10K/

Seen this?

Someone takes the blame!

Ponder on this!