Truths and Deeds!

Creating a universal front for literacy is one of the fundamental drives of the World Literacy Foundation (WLF). And becoming an Ambassador for the same reason means access to targeted information, information that could be used as a tool to inspire action. Based on the statistics reported by the WLF, there are up to 250 million children around the world who are struggling to gain basic reading and writing skills. I have also learned that 750 million of the world’s population are illiterate and that nearly 2 thirds of them are women. This number is clearly at a disadvantage because Illiterate people earn on average of 35% less than literate people. This makes those of us who can already literate a privileged population. This year’s Ambassador Program is focused on Columbia. We are being tasked with the goal to help children in the region to gain basic literacy skills. Why is this necessary you may ask? I now understand that the Internal Conflict in Colombia has negatively impacte

Many have been moved to wonder why Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases are still relatively low in Africa. Of the 54 African countries, over 432 cases have been reported in 35 countries as of 20 th March 2020. We are still in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and many more cases are being anticipated within the coming weeks, however, there are factors that may have been responsible for the low number of reported cases in Africa including ineffective border screening and travel restrictions, local climate effects, a lack of screening or a lack of adequate reporting. The fear here is that many of us are not confident with the measures in place to fight the pandemic in most African countries in the event of a higher number of cases. The expectation is that African governments must act quickly; impose travel restrictions and beef up accessible COVID-19 Screening, Quarantine and Treatment Centres across cities. The public also has a huge part to play because precautionary measu

Passion and strategy make for the most sophisticated combination. And for the many who are seeking to make something out of life, one of the things to note is that, no matter what has been conceived, without the strategy to drive the same, everyone might as well call off their attempts and go home. I have come to realize that moving forward is all about strategic thinking and the approach. Many of the times, we fail in a particular venture, campaign, pursuit or other because we do not plan for the long term that is backed up by firm submissions and clarity. A good plan minimizes the risk of failure, irrespective of the odds. It is not enough to play forward an idea, and simply expect same to catch on because it is great on paper. Eventually, it always come down to how you plan to nurture and sustain that idea through the stages of growth and maturity. It so happens that many of us are big on ideas but not on strategy. The HOW to maneuver through hoops with available resource

I have had cause to reflect as Nigeria clocks 59. The foremost question that has taken hold of my mind is: where are we as a country? There are grim indications that we have failed to realize that we make up the most resilient people in the world, especially because those who mount the Nation's public offices seem completely blind to the light, hence their frail attempts to beam it on the stage where growth resides. Nigeria is one of the richest countries in Africa with the potential to scale to heights imagined, but amidst the most glaring issues of insecurity, accountability and an unfair judicial system. It is as though we are moving everywhere the wind blows. The darkened corners that hold terrifying truths have remained unlighted, and as a result the Nigerian people are living in the shadow of uncertainty. I am loot to think that we cannot wriggle out of the hangman’s noose that we have managed to wrap about our necks, but it will take a serious commitment p

When he stepped out into the streets, they converged around him like Vultures swooping over their prey. The sun had sunk into the horizon an hour earlier; but the women kept vigil by the Senatorial Seat – seeking out-going Governor. If he could not perform in eight years, what exactly was he going to the National Assembly for? I wondered to myself. After hours under the sun, they stayed, and were now pouring accolades on this politician who cared less for their well being. The Governorship primaries scheduled during the day, and for which school children were told to stay home, had been cancelled. The overblown budget, weeks of planning and manpower went to waste because the leadership of the party was prevailed upon, for whatever selfish agenda, by a faceless cabal. The plight of the people, a section of which have elected to become unpaid praise singers, and who cued, to cast their votes, in a process that was anything but free and fair, meant nothing, like every other pol

As the world celebrates Nelson Mandela 100 days, I join the global community of young people to celebrate and work together to rekindle hope for our generation and to stand alongside others for the dignity, equality and justice for all. I would like to use this occasion to beam the light on the security challenges in Nigeria and by so doing recommend the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) otherwise known as Drones in curbing the menace posed by Terrorists in Nigeria today. Given the security issues in Nigeria, where terrorists have found the space to operate at will; one would expect that everything will be done to put a stop to the present situation before it drives the country into civil war. Nigerians have seen and felt terror, in its dehumanizing ripeness, enough to expect the leadership in place to not keep still and let the taking of lives continue. We are in an era where the Drone Technology is helping the Military and Security Agencies around the world to car

Nigeria makes me who I am And my identity will forever remain GREEN. I refuse the temptation to flee my 'Nigerianess' I am Nigerian by right, a privilege I hold sacred. This black nation makes me in the same way that I make her She begins and ends with me..and many like me It is human nature to be rebellious, proud, selfish, greedy and naive And Nigerians have the capacity to shade all these traits, weaknesses, challenges and limitations.. Because we live with  huge reserves of opportunities for growth and development This quality makes Nigeria and her people real. If you don't want to associate with or belong in a country like Nigeria Show me that country without flaws. There is no shame in being Nigerian. Tame your wistful lost for 'greener pastures' Be a resource, not a liability.                    - Ortese Terna ©2016 Posted via Blogaway