Dialogues: May 2014

Saturday, May 31, 2014

Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - STAR LAMENTATION: Yankee Diasporans, Clipped Wings - by Dan Akusobi

QUOTE

Finally, I would like to share this profound statement with you: "When the Nigerian elite wants to educate themselves or their children, they go to Europe or America. When they want to go on vacation, they go to Dubai or South Africa. When they are sick, they go to India. But when they die, they come back to Nigeria to be buried. Is Nigeria a cemetery?"

UNQUOTE

Prof. Okey Iheduru:

Yours too below is a profound reaction to Dan Akusobi's lamentation, that is worth sharing. To my mind, thinking about this issue is worth every minute of brain-cells, especially for the over-35s of the Diaspora community.

One of the reasons why I am grateful for my current position in Otuoke is that it makes that re-engagement for me severely permanent, giving me choices as a dual citizen of the US and Nigeria that I would not have otherwise. Even before it, while my activist engagement with Nigeria was prolific, my physical engagement was episodic, and I still thought it was not enough. It is quite sufficient now, I believe.

The simple lesson is this: engage your home community meaningfully, either singly or in union with others (while ensuring that your own contribution is noteworthy within the union). Nothing wrong - in terms of law, spiritual or temporal - with complete disengagement or fleeting engagement (after all, everyone has a right to associate or not to associate, right?), but don't then just go home to buried, lest observers of your corpse (not your inanimate corpse) will be unpleasantly surprised at your reception, as you narrated below about the unfortunate "abroadian" who ended up in an "efulefu" (pauper's) grave.

And there you have it.....thanks again to Dan for starting the thread.

Best wishes always.

Bolaji Aluko

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Okey Iheduru <okeyiheduru@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, May 31, 2014 at 12:40 PM
Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - STAR LAMENTATION: Yankee Diasporans, Clipped Wings - by Dan Akusobi
To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com
Cc: dakusobi@gmail.com

Dear Prof. Aluko:

Thanks for sending Dan's piece along to the USA-Africa Dialogue list. Aging of recent African Diasporas is a serious problem that will become an even bigger crisis in the next ten years or so. Many of us who came to the US in the mid-1980s for school and stayed behind--I call them "accidental immigrants"--are now between 50 and 60 years old. Whereas most people in this age bracket are still healthy and keeping active life, reality will soon set in in the next ten years when they will be 60-70 years old. Most of us don't even realize our children may not be there to take care of us when the time comes. How many of our sons are marrying their African sisters?

Unfortunately, very many of us are not "connecting" with home in any meaningful way; and some will definitely not be able to find their way home from Owerri or Ibadan without help--simply because these "homes" have undergone tremendous transformations since these fellows left or last visited about 25-30 years ago. I recently met a Nigerian who was animated about the goings-on "in the East and the Midwest" and had no idea where Imo or Abia states were. Another pal was reminiscing last month about the girl he had wanted to marry back in 1984--and was actually planning on reaching out to her again--only to learn that the woman had not only since married but actually passed away three years ago!

And then, there was this even that I witnessed in 2013. A diaspora Nigerian's corpse was brought home for burial in his Igbo village which I will not name. This fellow left the village in 1971 to Lagos, and then on to the USA in 1974, and never for once visited in over 38 years! He had nothing to identify him with the village except his umbilical cord remnant that was buried beside a young palm tree eight days after his birth (as is the custom of the Igbos) in 1950. None of his three former American wives accompanied his remains home; only one obviously confused and pitiful son in dreadlocks did.

As the casket headed to the local church from the mortuary, a group of young men barricaded the entrance to the church and insisted that the funeral service would not hold. The man had not paid any church dues and levies for almost 50 years and the resident pastor had illegally cut his family a slack and agreed to the funeral service without insisting on payment of all arrears of dues according to church policy. Besides, they wanted to teach a lesson to all sons and daughters who had similarly turned their back on the community that expected much from them, like their counterparts.

Meanwhile, another group of youth went to the deceased's family compound and chased away those digging the grave. As far as these young men were concerned, this "efulefu" (never-do-well) was never going to be interred in that village. Tufiakwa! They reasoned that if every "abroadian" (those who lived "abroad"--which includes internal migrants to other parts of Nigeria) had failed to contribute to the up-keep of the church and the village like "this Americana", the church building would long have collapsed and the premises overgrown with bushes. The intervention of the local Police detachment wasn't sufficient to get these young men to back down.

Eventually, the fully decorated corpse was returned to the mortuary. The burial feast (put together by the deceased's family to minimize the shame brought on the village by this man whose "send-off" party had been a much talked-after village affair in 1974) was aborted. A week later, negotiations between the elders and the youth resulted in the Americana being allowed a pauper's burial. Perhaps, the community did itself in: why did they "send" him "off" back in 1974?

The moral of the story is that it's no longer sufficient to claim Nigerian citizenship, especially at the micro levels, simply because you or your parents were born there. Membership at these levels comes with certain obligations that sustain the moral economy of communal life. Among the Igbo, for instance, every condolence gifts/presents given to you is actually an insurance premium that must be returned to the giver whenever he/she is bereaved. Those who mourn the dead are said to be actually mourning themselves. So, if you've not been participating--virtually or physically--in the community's life, why should they care about your corpse? Or, if you go home when you've only four more miserable weeks before you go and meet your ancestors?

Finally, I would like to share this profound statement with you: "When the Nigerian elite wants to educate themselves or their children, they go to Europe or America. When they want to go on vacation, they go to Dubai or South Africa. When they are sick, they go to India. But when they die, they come back to Nigeria to be buried. Is Nigeria a cemetery?"

Peace as always!

Okey

On Sat, May 31, 2014 at 2:18 AM, Mobolaji Aluko <alukome@gmail.com> wrote:

Edited for non-Ebonic-ness

____________________________________________________________

May 30, 2014

My people.

In one of my rare visits to a joint here in New York (NY), Uche Restaurant, I encountered, once again, some Nigerians who I suspect have thrown away their travel documents and secured a free place for their internment whenever it becomes their turn to quit the earth. Some are 70 years old or more and most smell like they have not passed over Atlantic Ocean by air since they left town ( Nigeria) . One of them sneezed and got wet from something that smelled like human urine coming from himself. The other talked like he created Ebonics language .

Such scenes and people make the new but donkey year olds here wonder if we shall one day see ourselves in such an abnormal sociology for an African abroad.

Sad to say that most of the Nigerian men I have seen, and of this grade being described are from Orlu and Ngwa areas of Igbo land. I had some talk with a couple of them over a three-month period on major issues of aging and going back home.

Some of the narratives I heard are no simple matters. Most disheartening among other huge reasons are issues of loneliness. One proudly said his wife refused to go home with him and he could not manage life alone in Lagos (another big city outside NY), so he ran back.

Another advised me to go home and marry and leave her there so when I go back eventually, I would have someone to care for me at that age.

I am bringing up this issue in light of Lawal and Amadike's crusade on this issue. They mistakenly personalized it on Eke even when we know it is a common and unfortunate problem that a lot of us here are missing being real men, in the sense that we knew our Dads are or were when we were growing up.

So I am urging a re-direction on this debate so we can examine the issues of aging and life at home and here at 65 and beyond.

I happen, in one of my other numerous jobs, to know that aging and loneliness and health related issues and money are a great challenge to Diasporans at 65 and up especially for some of us that missed early planning for retirement.
My friends Lawal and Amadike and Peter, should read this piece so they can re-direct or spread their anger more appropriately to more involved people here than to Eke and Dan who can very conveniently survive anywhere here or home.

If you really want to help, I will be forwarding you some names of Igbo people especially from our side of IMO state and Ngwa who are 67 and above and cannot go back home because of one or more of several reasons:

1. There is no own home to go to.
2. There is no money for travel ticket.
3. No wife, children or parents to go to.
4. No friendly brothers and sisters to go to.
5. No papers to guarantee a return.
6. They may need some new hearts and kidneys.
7. Blood pressure and prostate pills are more potent and affordable here than at Orlu or Eke Oha.
8. The doctors at home, some anyway, do not know how to treat diabetes and other 'going problems'
9. Viagra here is original and more potent.
10. Nothing to keep busy on on retiring at home.
11. Adult pampas are very scarce at Orlu.
12. Do not know to swallow fu-fu any more.
13. There is not McDonald yet at Afor Umuna.
14. Don't want to miss their welfare and food stamp checks.

etc. etc.

Shall I say more?

I think we can talk about how to better prepare for future life at home on coming to America than pelting on the innocents.

Concluding, a lot of us here have lost their home at home for neglecting it for long. Surprising? No. Anywhere one finds himself, like some people say, becomes his burial ground.

Sad indeed.

Dan.

____________________________________________________________

My People:

The above very timely piece, was delivered rather inimitably humorously, by Maazi Dan Akusobi, to who all questions should be directed at dakusobi <dakusobi@gmail.com>

Chai! Tufiakwa! Omebiriemebi !

Bolaji Aluko
Shaking his head

____________________________________________________________

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--
Okey Iheduru, PhD
You can access some of my papers on the Social Science Research Network (SSRN) at: http://ssrn.com/author=2131462.

--
Okey Iheduru, PhD
You can access some of my papers on the Social Science Research Network (SSRN) at: http://ssrn.com/author=2131462.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the "USA-Africa Dialogue Series" moderated by Toyin Falola, University of Texas at Austin.
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For previous archives, visit http://www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa/ads/index.html
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USA Africa Dialogue Series - Africans of Tobago

http://massliteracy.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-africans-of-tobago.html

An African Tobagonian sister once took me on a trip from Trinidad to the beautiful island of Tobago to learn more about the culture and traditions of the predominantly African people who live there. I was expecting to stay in a hotel but similar to the African tradition of hospitality, I was given a bed and home cooked meals in the home of a then 81 year old artist aunt of hers who raised ten children in that three bedroom house the way many African parents do raise large families back in Africa....

Biko

USA Africa Dialogue Series - Abiola sacrificed for Nigeria -Obasanjo

Abiola sacrificed for Nigeria -Obasanjo

Punch

A former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, acknowledged on Saturday that the late acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief Moshood Abiola, sacrificed for the nation.

He made this remark at the 4th founder’s day of Nobelhouse College, Abeokuta, and 85th birthday of an industrialist and philanthropist, Chief Olatunde Abudu.

The former president, who was one of the guests at the event, was commenting on a remark made by the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, who said Ogun State could have produced three presidents, if not for “bad belle.”

source: Punch

Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - STAR LAMENTATION: Yankee Diasporans, Clipped Wings - by Dan Akusobi

Dear Prof. Aluko:

Thanks for sending Dan's piece along to the USA-Africa Dialogue list. Aging of recent African Diasporas is a serious problem that will become an even bigger crisis in the next ten years or so. Many of us who came to the US in the mid-1980s for school and stayed behind--I call them "accidental immigrants"--are now between 50 and 60 years old. Whereas most people in this age bracket are still healthy and keeping active life, reality will soon set in in the next ten years when they will be 60-70 years old. Most of us don't even realize our children may not be there to take care of us when the time comes. How many of our sons are marrying their African sisters?

Unfortunately, very many of us are not "connecting" with home in any meaningful way; and some will definitely not be able to find their way home from Owerri or Ibadan without help--simply because these "homes" have undergone tremendous transformations since these fellows left or last visited about 25-30 years ago. I recently met a Nigerian who was animated about the goings-on "in the East and the Midwest" and had no idea where Imo or Abia states were. Another pal was reminiscing last month about the girl he had wanted to marry back in 1984--and was actually planning on reaching out to her again--only to learn that the woman had not only since married but actually passed away three years ago!

And then, there was this even that I witnessed in 2013. A diaspora Nigerian's corpse was brought home for burial in his Igbo village which I will not name. This fellow left the village in 1971 to Lagos, and then on to the USA in 1974, and never for once visited in over 38 years! He had nothing to identify him with the village except his umbilical cord remnant that was buried beside a young palm tree eight days after his birth (as is the custom of the Igbos) in 1950. None of his three former American wives accompanied his remains home; only one obviously confused and pitiful son in dreadlocks did.

As the casket headed to the local church from the mortuary, a group of young men barricaded the entrance to the church and insisted that the funeral service would not hold. The man had not paid any church dues and levies for almost 50 years and the resident pastor had illegally cut his family a slack and agreed to the funeral service without insisting on payment of all arrears of dues according to church policy. Besides, they wanted to teach a lesson to all sons and daughters who had similarly turned their back on the community that expected much from them, like their counterparts.

Meanwhile, another group of youth went to the deceased's family compound and chased away those digging the grave. As far as these young men were concerned, this "efulefu" (never-do-well) was never going to be interred in that village. Tufiakwa! They reasoned that if every "abroadian" (those who lived "abroad"--which includes internal migrants to other parts of Nigeria) had failed to contribute to the up-keep of the church and the village like "this Americana", the church building would long have collapsed and the premises overgrown with bushes. The intervention of the local Police detachment wasn't sufficient to get these young men to back down.

Eventually, the fully decorated corpse was returned to the mortuary. The burial feast (put together by the deceased's family to minimize the shame brought on the village by this man whose "send-off" party had been a much talked-after village affair in 1974) was aborted. A week later, negotiations between the elders and the youth resulted in the Americana being allowed a pauper's burial. Perhaps, the community did itself in: why did they "send" him "off" back in 1974?

The moral of the story is that it's no longer sufficient to claim Nigerian citizenship, especially at the micro levels, simply because you or your parents were born there. Membership at these levels comes with certain obligations that sustain the moral economy of communal life. Among the Igbo, for instance, every condolence gifts/presents given to you is actually an insurance premium that must be returned to the giver whenever he/she is bereaved. Those who mourn the dead are said to be actually mourning themselves. So, if you've not been participating--virtually or physically--in the community's life, why should they care about your corpse? Or, if you go home when you've only four more miserable weeks before you go and meet your ancestors?

Peace as always!

Okey

On Sat, May 31, 2014 at 2:18 AM, Mobolaji Aluko <alukome@gmail.com> wrote:

Edited for non-Ebonic-ness

____________________________________________________________

May 30, 2014

My people.

In one of my rare visits to a joint here in New York (NY), Uche Restaurant, I encountered, once again, some Nigerians who I suspect have thrown away their travel documents and secured a free place for their internment whenever it becomes their turn to quit the earth. Some are 70 years old or more and most smell like they have not passed over Atlantic Ocean by air since they left town ( Nigeria) . One of them sneezed and got wet from something that smelled like human urine coming from himself. The other talked like he created Ebonics language .

Such scenes and people make the new but donkey year olds here wonder if we shall one day see ourselves in such an abnormal sociology for an African abroad.

Sad to say that most of the Nigerian men I have seen, and of this grade being described are from Orlu and Ngwa areas of Igbo land. I had some talk with a couple of them over a three-month period on major issues of aging and going back home.

Some of the narratives I heard are no simple matters. Most disheartening among other huge reasons are issues of loneliness. One proudly said his wife refused to go home with him and he could not manage life alone in Lagos (another big city outside NY), so he ran back.

Another advised me to go home and marry and leave her there so when I go back eventually, I would have someone to care for me at that age.

I am bringing up this issue in light of Lawal and Amadike's crusade on this issue. They mistakenly personalized it on Eke even when we know it is a common and unfortunate problem that a lot of us here are missing being real men, in the sense that we knew our Dads are or were when we were growing up.

So I am urging a re-direction on this debate so we can examine the issues of aging and life at home and here at 65 and beyond.

I happen, in one of my other numerous jobs, to know that aging and loneliness and health related issues and money are a great challenge to Diasporans at 65 and up especially for some of us that missed early planning for retirement.
My friends Lawal and Amadike and Peter, should read this piece so they can re-direct or spread their anger more appropriately to more involved people here than to Eke and Dan who can very conveniently survive anywhere here or home.

If you really want to help, I will be forwarding you some names of Igbo people especially from our side of IMO state and Ngwa who are 67 and above and cannot go back home because of one or more of several reasons:

1. There is no own home to go to.
2. There is no money for travel ticket.
3. No wife, children or parents to go to.
4. No friendly brothers and sisters to go to.
5. No papers to guarantee a return.
6. They may need some new hearts and kidneys.
7. Blood pressure and prostate pills are more potent and affordable here than at Orlu or Eke Oha.
8. The doctors at home, some anyway, do not know how to treat diabetes and other 'going problems'
9. Viagra here is original and more potent.
10. Nothing to keep busy on on retiring at home.
11. Adult pampas are very scarce at Orlu.
12. Do not know to swallow fu-fu any more.
13. There is not McDonald yet at Afor Umuna.
14. Don't want to miss their welfare and food stamp checks.

etc. etc.

Shall I say more?

I think we can talk about how to better prepare for future life at home on coming to America than pelting on the innocents.

Concluding, a lot of us here have lost their home at home for neglecting it for long. Surprising? No. Anywhere one finds himself, like some people say, becomes his burial ground.

Sad indeed.

Dan.

____________________________________________________________

My People:

The above very timely piece, was delivered rather inimitably humorously, by Maazi Dan Akusobi, to who all questions should be directed at dakusobi <dakusobi@gmail.com>

Chai! Tufiakwa! Omebiriemebi !

Bolaji Aluko
Shaking his head

____________________________________________________________

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the "USA-Africa Dialogue Series" moderated by Toyin Falola, University of Texas at Austin.
For current archives, visit http://groups.google.com/group/USAAfricaDialogue
For previous archives, visit http://www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa/ads/index.html
To post to this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue-
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---
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To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to usaafricadialogue+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Okey Iheduru, PhD
You can access some of my papers on the Social Science Research Network (SSRN) at: http://ssrn.com/author=2131462.

USA Africa Dialogue Series - 3RD CONFERENCE OF THE NIGERIAN ORAL LITERATURE ASSOCIATION

WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE TO INTERESTED COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS THE 3RD CONFERENCE OF THE NIGERIAN ORAL LITERATURE ASSOCIATION [NOLA]. FIND BELOW THE DETAILS:

3RD CONFERENCE

OF THE NIGERIAN ORAL LITERATURE ASSOCIATION [NOLA]

DATE: 13-15, AUGUST, 2014

VENUE: PRECIOUS PALM ROYAL HOTEL, BENIN-CITY NIGERIA

THEME: THE ARTS AND LITERATURES OF

NIGERIAN FESTIVALS.

SUB THEMES:

Theories and Discourses on Nigerian Arts and Festivals /Song-Poetry and Dance-Songs/ Theatrics of Religious Poetry/ Orature and New Media/ Feasting on the Net / Cultural Aesthetics/ Oral Performance and National Integration/ Dramaturgy of Nigerian Festivals/ Orality and Leadership/ Nigerian Arts on Stage /Rituals and Diplomacy/Poetics of Conflict Resolution/Oral Literature and Political Fiesta/ Carnivals and Power-Politics/ Conceptualizing the Nigerian Entertainment Industry.

However, these topics are not exhaustive, as other areas of focus, within the purview of the conference theme will be accommodated.

Abstracts of not more than 250 words are invited from prospective participants not later than June 30, 2014, should be sent to:

(i) Prof. G.G. Darah, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State. E-mail: <ggdarah@gmail.com>; mobile phone: +234 (0) 803 608 8913

(ii) Chairman, Central Organizing Committee - Dr. Okey Okwechime , University of Benin, Benin-City, Edo State. E-mail: oraclechime@yahoo.com, mobile phone:+234 (0) 803 7217824

DIRECT ALL ENQUIRIES TO:

The Conference Administrator, Dr. Mark Ighile, Redeemer's University, Mowe, Ogun State. E-mail: mighile@gmail.com, Mobile phone: +234 (0) 8034959317

Conference Registration Fee: N10, 000.00 only (for participants from within Nigeria); $100 only (for participants from outside Nigeria), to cover conference materials, customized bag, and tea/coffee break.

Mark Osama Ighile, Ph,.D (Ibadan)

Secretary & Conference Administrator,

Nigerian Oral Literature Association (NOLA),

Coordinator, Christian Religious Department &

Senior Lecturer,
Department of English & Communication Studies,

College of Humanities,

Redeemer's University, Redemption Camp.

Km. 46 Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State.
P. O. Box 7914, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria.
Tel: 234 (0) 802 344 5151, (0) 803 495 9317,
E-mail: mighile@gmail.com, ighilem@run.edu.ng

Website: www.run.edu.ng, www.mark-ighile.blogspot.com

Those who feed others with the integrity of heart and guide them by the skilfulness of hands are the true leaders. Mark them. (Psa. 78:72).For more, visit: www.leadergreat.wordpress.com

USA Africa Dialogue Series - STAR LAMENTATION: Yankee Diasporans, Clipped Wings - by Dan Akusobi

Edited for non-Ebonic-ness

____________________________________________________________

May 30, 2014

My people.

In one of my rare visits to a joint here in New York (NY), Uche Restaurant, I encountered, once again, some Nigerians who I suspect have thrown away their travel documents and secured a free place for their internment whenever it becomes their turn to quit the earth. Some are 70 years old or more and most smell like they have not passed over Atlantic Ocean by air since they left town ( Nigeria) . One of them sneezed and got wet from something that smelled like human urine coming from himself. The other talked like he created Ebonics language .

Such scenes and people make the new but donkey year olds here wonder if we shall one day see ourselves in such an abnormal sociology for an African abroad.

Sad to say that most of the Nigerian men I have seen, and of this grade being described are from Orlu and Ngwa areas of Igbo land. I had some talk with a couple of them over a three-month period on major issues of aging and going back home.

Some of the narratives I heard are no simple matters. Most disheartening among other huge reasons are issues of loneliness. One proudly said his wife refused to go home with him and he could not manage life alone in Lagos (another big city outside NY), so he ran back.

Another advised me to go home and marry and leave her there so when I go back eventually, I would have someone to care for me at that age.

I am bringing up this issue in light of Lawal and Amadike's crusade on this issue. They mistakenly personalized it on Eke even when we know it is a common and unfortunate problem that a lot of us here are missing being real men, in the sense that we knew our Dads are or were when we were growing up.

So I am urging a re-direction on this debate so we can examine the issues of aging and life at home and here at 65 and beyond.

I happen, in one of my other numerous jobs, to know that aging and loneliness and health related issues and money are a great challenge to Diasporans at 65 and up especially for some of us that missed early planning for retirement.
My friends Lawal and Amadike and Peter, should read this piece so they can re-direct or spread their anger more appropriately to more involved people here than to Eke and Dan who can very conveniently survive anywhere here or home.

If you really want to help, I will be forwarding you some names of Igbo people especially from our side of IMO state and Ngwa who are 67 and above and cannot go back home because of one or more of several reasons:

1. There is no own home to go to.
2. There is no money for travel ticket.
3. No wife, children or parents to go to.
4. No friendly brothers and sisters to go to.
5. No papers to guarantee a return.
6. They may need some new hearts and kidneys.
7. Blood pressure and prostate pills are more potent and affordable here than at Orlu or Eke Oha.
8. The doctors at home, some anyway, do not know how to treat diabetes and other 'going problems'
9. Viagra here is original and more potent.
10. Nothing to keep busy on on retiring at home.
11. Adult pampas are very scarce at Orlu.
12. Do not know to swallow fu-fu any more.
13. There is not McDonald yet at Afor Umuna.
14. Don't want to miss their welfare and food stamp checks.

etc. etc.

Shall I say more?

I think we can talk about how to better prepare for future life at home on coming to America than pelting on the innocents.

Concluding, a lot of us here have lost their home at home for neglecting it for long. Surprising? No. Anywhere one finds himself, like some people say, becomes his burial ground.

Sad indeed.

Dan.

____________________________________________________________

My People:

The above very timely piece, was delivered rather inimitably humorously, by Maazi Dan Akusobi, to who all questions should be directed at dakusobi <dakusobi@gmail.com>

Chai! Tufiakwa! Omebiriemebi !

Bolaji Aluko

Shaking his head

____________________________________________________________

USA Africa Dialogue Series - Quote of the Day

“The beauty of getting older is the surprise of what else you can do to make the world a better place with the wisdom that you’ve accrued over those years.”

- Goldie Hawn

Love & Best Wishes, always; positively:

http://optimaledge101.blogspot.com.au/

www.strategicbookpublishing.com/OptimalEdge.html

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cut-Your-Own-Firewood-Ultimate/dp/1419654233/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332231731&sr=1-1

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/optimal-edge-eugene-nwosu/1014987420?ean=9781606934883

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/182-3016347-0345102?url=search-alias%3dstripbooks&field-keywords=optimal+edge

https://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard

Friday, May 30, 2014

USA Africa Dialogue Series - Re: Watch these: The Africa We Want.....Ruto nailed it! Kagame is good, Chairwoman Zuma, Mbeki all formidable, Ibrahim Mo, lol

Thank you Judy. It is part of the Agenda on August: The Africa We Want by the Civil Society.

God bless.

Ms. Everlyne Joe,        I totally agree that Africa's problems must find a solution in order   to urgently fix its problems to have "The Africa we all Want".......  This honest discussion is long overdue.        Both Kagame and Ruto spoke well about "The Africa We all want". This   then I believe, provides a good open public discussion in sharing to   offer opinion on way forward by both the countrymen, youth, women and   the Diaspora.        Kagame rightly put it that, it is important to know the root cause   of our problems in order to find solutions. Again, here he is so right.  It is when we diagnose the problem, we can agree how to navigate moving   forward.        This is a very interesting topic that must not be left to leaders   alone. Together, we shall find solution to our problems in Africa.        have your say people..............         Cheers !!!        Judy Miriga   Diaspora Spokesperson   Executive Director   Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,   USA   http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com          --------------------------------------------        On Mon, 5/26/14, msjoe21st@aol.com <msjoe21st@aol.com> wrote:     Subject: Watch these: The Africa We Want.....Ruto nailed it! Kagame is good,    Chairwoman Zuma, Mbeki all  formidable, Ibrahim Mo, lol   To: kenyaonline@yahoogroups.com, Camnetwork@yahoogroups.com,   Mwananchi@yahoogroups.com, ACCDF@yahoogroups.com, USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com,   africanworldforum@googlegroups.com, africa-oped@yahoogroups.com,   Africans_Without_Borders@yahoogroups.com, amacam@yahoogroups.com,   nigerianworldforum@yahoogroups.com   Date: Monday, May 26, 2014, 6:41 PM        Hello   Africans, these are types of discourse, brain   addition and practical multiplication. Let us meet in   August.    --------------------        Paul Kagame on African responsibility (Boko Haram) #AfDBAM2014   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAPNC4YpGCQ  Published on May 20, 2014     --African Leaders Should Accept Their Failure In Solving Conflicts--    President Paul Kagame has challenged African leaders to take responsibility and   accept their failure in solving conflicts that have ravaged the continent for   decades.    The head of state was on Tuesday contributing to a panel discussion on ending   conflict in Africa at the ongoing African Development Bank's annual meeting. The   session was themed: "Solving conflicts and Peace building in Africa."    In his remarks, President Kagame said African leaders should work together and   solve their own problems without seeking help from European countries.    "I think we must take responsibility and accept our failures in dealing with   these matters," said Kagame.    Commenting on the issue of Nigerian Islamist militia Boko Haram that had been   raised by the former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, President Kagame said   there was no need for regional leaders to travel to Europe seeking for help.    "When I am watching television and I find that our leaders, who should have been   working together all along to address these problems that only affect their   countries, wait until they are invited to go to Europe to sit there and find   solutions to their problems...it's as if they are made to sit down and address   their problems," said Kagame.    "Why does anybody wait for that?" asked Kagame.    President Kagame added that such leaders seeking solutions to Africa's problems   from outsiders tarnishes the continent's image. However, Kagame did not name any   names. His comments were seen as reference to recent meeting in Paris attended   by Nigerian President and other west africa leaders on the boko haram militants.    "In fact, the image it gives is that we are not there to address these   problems...they are (African leaders) happy to sit in Paris with the President   of France and just talk about their problems," said Kagame.    "It doesn't make sense that our leaders cannot get themselves together to   address problems affecting our people," added Kagame.    President Kagame said African leaders do not need to be invited by outsiders to   go and address their domestic problems.    "African leaders, we don't need to be invited anywhere to go and address our   problems, without first inviting ourselves to come together to tell each other   the actual truth we must tell each other," he said.    President Kagame and other leaders were discussing findings of a report by panel   of experts established by the African Development Bank President, Dr. Donald   Kaberuka. The High Level Panel on Fragile States (HLPFS) chaired by Liberian   President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.    On South Sudan, President Kagame told the audience that it was the   responsibility of the country's people and leaders who took time to fight for   their independence but rather create another problem after attaining that   independence.    "This country and the people there wanted to be independent. They got   independence but that turned into a problem," said Kagame.    "You have won war being fought waged to get independence, then you have to fight   another when you have achieved independence...just fighting among themselves."    Kagame went on: "Some of these underlined root causes should and could have been   addressed by the leaders there. Whatever happened, whoever was wrong-that's not   the issue. It is still the responsibility of leaders if they can't resolve the   matters themselves, why not calling neighbours to say come and help. We have a   problem here."    From: NoR Media Group  http://www.newsofrwanda.com/featured1...      -------------------------      High Level Event II -- Leadership for the Africa we Want - Kigali, Wednesday 22   May 2015   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbGZaykJ5iU    Published on May 22, 2014     Welcome Remarks:    Dr. Donald Kaberuka, President of AfDB Group    Panelists:   - H. E. Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda  - H. E. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of Kenya  - Dr. Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson, African Union Commission  - H. E. Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki, former President, Republic of South Africa  - Hon. Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria  - Dr. Mo Ibrahim, Founder and Chair, Mo Ibrahim Foundation     Description:    The World Economic Forum (WEF) report for 2014 identifies two critical   leadership problems globally -- the first is that there is a leadership deficit,   and the second is that there is a lack of trust in policies and programmes   pursued by leaders. Good leadership will be crucial for enabling Africa to   exploit the window of opportunity that has opened up in the past decade, notably   its natural resource               Hello Leaders: Please find   (below) the substantiated Program on the National   Summit scheduled for August 1-2, the weekend before the   African presidents come to town.  They will   have results!  on the own goals. Much   work has gone into it. Please visit the links.  We   invite your partnership on this unprecedented, path   charting Summit. We would update on the Regions, see the   left side of the invitation.  There are   no duplications  of the intent of the African   Union Steering Committee because I CAN DO involves   focused research and capacity building relating   to hometown alumni and professional (HAPN) groups   and specialized NGOs undertaking developments in Africa and   businesses  The AU is especially interested, which   is  relevant to three of African Union   Diaspora Legacy Projects.  Please, you can forward this   invitation to NGOs,   cultural/tribal and  alumni   groups. We will  share data with the African Union Steering   Committee, information from the embassies, and updates from the AU and regions.                Many national groups have competently   addressed the Dual Citizenship and Voting Rights   issues. Please, see the updated write up. The focus will be   more on the  moral, economic and social   dimensions.  We will be glad to work with the   groups that have addressed the issues and  use best practices of    African countries that have already granted dual   citizenship or voting's rights.  The AU   Commission will get the recommendations in   August 2014. As Continentals, we can demonstrate that we can work   together as the Jews, Asians, Hispanics do with varied   organizations focusing on particular areas. If anyone   needs research on the historic needs assessment   document of the Continental Community, which has   been  helpful to other   organizations,  please visit www.caslight.org and   search for needs assessment. The Montgomery   County example sets a national standards for other jurisdictions. Someone had   asked about the Continental African   Community and the Obama Care event we   organized at the Ghana Embassy with the Obama   Administration on July 1o, 2012. I will send the   info.  Talk to you all on May 24   and have a splendid week and God   Bless.  MsJoe      

To Lead You Must be a Servant

-----Original Message-----
From: Judy Miriga <jbatec@yahoo.com>
To: kenyaonline <kenyaonline@yahoogroups.com>; Mwananchi <Mwananchi@yahoogroups.com>; ACCDF <ACCDF@yahoogroups.com>; USAAfricaDialogue <USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com>; africanworldforum <africanworldforum@googlegroups.com>; africa-oped <africa-oped@yahoogroups.com>; Africans_Without_Borders <Africans_Without_Borders@yahoogroups.com>; amacam <amacam@yahoogroups.com>; nigerianworldforum <nigerianworldforum@yahoogroups.com>; msjoe21st <msjoe21st@aol.com>
Cc: progressive-kenyans <progressive-kenyans@googlegroups.com>; Change Mombasa <changemombasa2012@yahoogroups.com>; Mabadiliko <mabadilikotanzania@googlegroups.com>; wanabidii <wanabidii@googlegroups.com>; wanakenya <wanakenya@googlegroups.com>; amenelik <amenelik@aol.com>; sulayman Nyang <sulaymann@yahoo.com>; Gilbert Mundela <gtmundela@yahoo.com>; Roger Engone <roger_engone@yahoo.com>
Sent: Mon, May 26, 2014 8:41 pm
Subject: Re: Watch these: The Africa We Want.....Ruto nailed it! Kagame is good, Chairwoman Zuma, Mbeki all formidable, Ibrahim Mo, lol

Ms. Everlyne Joe, I totally agree that Africa's problems must find a solution in order to urgently fix its problems to have "The Africa we all Want"....... This honest discussion is long overdue. Both Kagame and Ruto spoke well about "The Africa We all want". This then I believe, provides a good open public discussion in sharing to offer opinion on way forward by both the countrymen, youth, women and the Diaspora. Kagame rightly put it that, it is important to know the root cause of our problems in order to find solutions. Again, here he is so right. It is when we diagnose the problem, we can agree how to navigate moving forward. This is a very interesting topic that must not be left to leaders alone. Together, we shall find solution to our problems in Africa. have your say people.............. Cheers !!! Judy Miriga Diaspora Spokesperson Executive Director Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc., USA http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com -------------------------------------------- On Mon, 5/26/14, msjoe21st@aol.com <msjoe21st@aol.com> wrote: Subject: Watch these: The Africa We Want.....Ruto nailed it! Kagame is good, Chairwoman Zuma, Mbeki all formidable, Ibrahim Mo, lol To: kenyaonline@yahoogroups.com, Camnetwork@yahoogroups.com, Mwananchi@yahoogroups.com, ACCDF@yahoogroups.com, USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com, africanworldforum@googlegroups.com, africa-oped@yahoogroups.com, Africans_Without_Borders@yahoogroups.com, amacam@yahoogroups.com, nigerianworldforum@yahoogroups.com Date: Monday, May 26, 2014, 6:41 PM Hello Africans, these are types of discourse, brain addition and practical multiplication. Let us meet in August. -------------------- Paul Kagame on African responsibility (Boko Haram) #AfDBAM2014 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAPNC4YpGCQ Published on May 20, 2014 --African Leaders Should Accept Their Failure In Solving Conflicts-- President Paul Kagame has challenged African leaders to take responsibility and accept their failure in solving conflicts that have ravaged the continent for decades. The head of state was on Tuesday contributing to a panel discussion on ending conflict in Africa at the ongoing African Development Bank's annual meeting. The session was themed: "Solving conflicts and Peace building in Africa." In his remarks, President Kagame said African leaders should work together and solve their own problems without seeking help from European countries. "I think we must take responsibility and accept our failures in dealing with these matters," said Kagame. Commenting on the issue of Nigerian Islamist militia Boko Haram that had been raised by the former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, President Kagame said there was no need for regional leaders to travel to Europe seeking for help. "When I am watching television and I find that our leaders, who should have been working together all along to address these problems that only affect their countries, wait until they are invited to go to Europe to sit there and find solutions to their problems...it's as if they are made to sit down and address their problems," said Kagame. "Why does anybody wait for that?" asked Kagame. President Kagame added that such leaders seeking solutions to Africa's problems from outsiders tarnishes the continent's image. However, Kagame did not name any names. His comments were seen as reference to recent meeting in Paris attended by Nigerian President and other west africa leaders on the boko haram militants. "In fact, the image it gives is that we are not there to address these problems...they are (African leaders) happy to sit in Paris with the President of France and just talk about their problems," said Kagame. "It doesn't make sense that our leaders cannot get themselves together to address problems affecting our people," added Kagame. President Kagame said African leaders do not need to be invited by outsiders to go and address their domestic problems. "African leaders, we don't need to be invited anywhere to go and address our problems, without first inviting ourselves to come together to tell each other the actual truth we must tell each other," he said. President Kagame and other leaders were discussing findings of a report by panel of experts established by the African Development Bank President, Dr. Donald Kaberuka. The High Level Panel on Fragile States (HLPFS) chaired by Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. On South Sudan, President Kagame told the audience that it was the responsibility of the country's people and leaders who took time to fight for their independence but rather create another problem after attaining that independence. "This country and the people there wanted to be independent. They got independence but that turned into a problem," said Kagame. "You have won war being fought waged to get independence, then you have to fight another when you have achieved independence...just fighting among themselves." Kagame went on: "Some of these underlined root causes should and could have been addressed by the leaders there. Whatever happened, whoever was wrong-that's not the issue. It is still the responsibility of leaders if they can't resolve the matters themselves, why not calling neighbours to say come and help. We have a problem here." From: NoR Media Group http://www.newsofrwanda.com/featured1... ------------------------- High Level Event II -- Leadership for the Africa we Want - Kigali, Wednesday 22 May 2015 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbGZaykJ5iU Published on May 22, 2014 Welcome Remarks: Dr. Donald Kaberuka, President of AfDB Group Panelists: - H. E. Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda - H. E. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of Kenya - Dr. Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson, African Union Commission - H. E. Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki, former President, Republic of South Africa - Hon. Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria - Dr. Mo Ibrahim, Founder and Chair, Mo Ibrahim Foundation Description: The World Economic Forum (WEF) report for 2014 identifies two critical leadership problems globally -- the first is that there is a leadership deficit, and the second is that there is a lack of trust in policies and programmes pursued by leaders. Good leadership will be crucial for enabling Africa to exploit the window of opportunity that has opened up in the past decade, notably its natural resource Hello Leaders: Please find (below) the substantiated Program on the National Summit scheduled for August 1-2, the weekend before the African presidents come to town. They will have results! on the own goals. Much work has gone into it. Please visit the links. We invite your partnership on this unprecedented, path charting Summit. We would update on the Regions, see the left side of the invitation. There are no duplications of the intent of the African Union Steering Committee because I CAN DO involves focused research and capacity building relating to hometown alumni and professional (HAPN) groups and specialized NGOs undertaking developments in Africa and businesses The AU is especially interested, which is relevant to three of African Union Diaspora Legacy Projects. Please, you can forward this invitation to NGOs, cultural/tribal and alumni groups. We will share data with the African Union Steering Committee, information from the embassies, and updates from the AU and regions. Many national groups have competently addressed the Dual Citizenship and Voting Rights issues. Please, see the updated write up. The focus will be more on the moral, economic and social dimensions. We will be glad to work with the groups that have addressed the issues and use best practices of African countries that have already granted dual citizenship or voting's rights. The AU Commission will get the recommendations in August 2014. As Continentals, we can demonstrate that we can work together as the Jews, Asians, Hispanics do with varied organizations focusing on particular areas. If anyone needs research on the historic needs assessment document of the Continental Community, which has been helpful to other organizations, please visit www.caslight.org and search for needs assessment. The Montgomery County example sets a national standards for other jurisdictions. Someone had asked about the Continental African Community and the Obama Care event we organized at the Ghana Embassy with the Obama Administration on July 1o, 2012. I will send the info. Talk to you all on May 24 and have a splendid week and God Bless. MsJoe

Dialogues

Saturday, May 31, 2014

Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - STAR LAMENTATION: Yankee Diasporans, Clipped Wings - by Dan Akusobi

USA Africa Dialogue Series - Africans of Tobago

USA Africa Dialogue Series - Abiola sacrificed for Nigeria -Obasanjo

Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - STAR LAMENTATION: Yankee Diasporans, Clipped Wings - by Dan Akusobi

USA Africa Dialogue Series - 3RD CONFERENCE OF THE NIGERIAN ORAL LITERATURE ASSOCIATION

USA Africa Dialogue Series - STAR LAMENTATION: Yankee Diasporans, Clipped Wings - by Dan Akusobi

USA Africa Dialogue Series - Quote of the Day

Friday, May 30, 2014

USA Africa Dialogue Series - Re: Watch these: The Africa We Want.....Ruto nailed it! Kagame is good, Chairwoman Zuma, Mbeki all formidable, Ibrahim Mo, lol

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