Children out of school - highest in Nigeria

According to the Nigerian education department's permanent secretary, Nigeria has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world - 10.5 million out of 20 million.

It is such a shame that in this time, education is not given priority in Nigeria. If it was, this data would be different.  The country has indeed betrayed the younger generation and the Federal government should hold its head in shame for not doing much to enable these young children to be in education. After all, they are the future generation and how is the country to move forward if the leaders of tomorrow do not have the capacity and capabilities to move the country forward? 

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-africa-40384246?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=5976f6e7e4b0c2b9f126304a%26Mining%20giant%20to%20co-operate%20with%20UK%20corruption%20inquiry%26&ns_fee=0#post_5976f6e7e4b0c2b9f126304a

Vaginal ring preventing HIV will be tested in Africa

According to researchers in the United States, a trial in which American teenagers used a vaginal ring to prevent HIV infection has proved successful and they plan to conduct further research with teenagers in Africa.  The device is a flexible plastic ring, embedded with anti-retroviral drugs and the researchers state that their research is a drive to develop a device which women can use to protect themselves from HIV infection, so they don't have to rely on men to wear condoms.

This is good, however, I find this 'testing in Africa' a bit uncomfortable. After all, The continent Africa is not the only place with HIV positive people. The argument that there are more people with HIV in Africa is a weak one in this case. After all, Africa will not be the only market for the product so they could test this product in other continents apart from Africa.

Anyway, after many years of the HIV pandemic, African experts, community organisations, NGOs and individuals have contributed immensely in fighting the disease and this includes ways of not exposing oneself to the illness, which by the way is not only through sexual intercourse. The African youth are very aware of and understand how to protect themselves from the disease. 

Why does Africa have to be a testing lab for researchers who do not really know and understand the issues of the African people? This opens up a lot of questions especially one of ethics. Are the girls to have sexual intercourse with HIV positive men in order to know the success of this ring? If not, how do we measure success? So, the researchers put this ring on the girls and then what? How many days are the girls to have sex, with whom and who decides?

So, is the testing for young girls who may be or may not be sexually active? In the period of the testing, are the girls told that they have to have sex and what happens if they don’t?

Finally, where the girls in this ‘Africa’ consulted or will they be consulted?  To whose benefit is this research for, the girls in Africa or the multi billion making industry championing this product?


Read more:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-africa-40384246

Sunday words!

What better way to start the week than with words of inspiration. Wishing you a happy and fulfilled week ahead!

Dancing time

Join me 

https://youtu.be/3Iyuym-Gci0

Can't stop dancing! 

Adebayor's BBC interview about his family

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We all remember the drama between Emmanuel Adebayor and his family some time back. I just watched his recent interview on BBC and felt so sad for him. Sadly, this is the experience of many bread winners in many African countries. The entitlement mentality of family and extended family members is so unrealistic that it puts an extra strain and pressure on those slaving to provide for their families. Many times, lack of not providing or even a delay in providing money causes deep-rooted issues that go on for years. It seems as if all family members care about, especially the extended ones, is the money. They do not care about the labour, time, stress, tears and pain one put in earning that money. The relationship with family and extended family members become somewhat encumbering and non-symbiotic. Sometimes, blood relatives are those that do not wish one well and I truly understand and sympathise with Adebayor.  

See his interview on BBC here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-africa-4061

Garbine Muguruza wins her first Wimbledon title

What a match! This was the worst I have seen Venus play but well done to both girls, most especially, Garbine who won the match. I can now relax from the tensions I developed watching the match.

Which social media app is more fun?

I was chatting with a friend the other day and she suggested that I join Instagram to stay connected with friends. I thought of it, did some research and was not convinced that it is for me at the moment. I have been off facebook since 2011. Although I have an account I use purely for work purposes, I have no urge to go back to my personal account. For me, it is a lot of hard work and I find it difficult to maintain the momentum. I am currently on Twitter and learning how it works but not finding it fun as people make it out to be. Maybe I need a twitter expert to take me through how to use it or how to make it fun.

So, my question is which social media app do you have on your phone and what are the things that make it fun for you?

On another subject, check out this lovely cake that I baked ages ago!

Flooding in Lagos, Nigeria

There is a plethora of pictures and videos making the rounds on social media showing the flooding currently experienced by the residents of Lagos Island and surrounding areas.  It is really sad to see the destruction and damage caused by the flooding.

As usual, people are using humour and satire to deflate the severity of its impact on their lives. Similarly, there are articles and posts, most especially on social media, haranguing the government's incompetency and calling for the government to do more.

I am yet to read the government's effort in mitigating future occurances. Time to invest not only in infrastructure but on research.