“Leaders are more powerful role models when they learn than when they teach” – Rosabeth Moss Kantor
Month: February 2012
We are the future
You can see me hawking in the streets
In my tattered uniform i trek long distances to school
When I get back i have housework to do
Tired i struggle through my homework
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This is the way of life for many children across the globe.
Child trafficking, being forced into slavery ,prostitution, and unpaid labour; millions of children have been stripped of their innocence.
It’s past time to stop this terrible treatment of the child. Don’t we realize that the children of today are the citizens,leaders, decision makers, doctors ,lawyers,teachers,engineers… of tomorrow. If we do not invest in them today,showing them love and care, what kind of future are looking at?
Let me help you, it’s a very bleak future.Protect the rights of the child today, and the world will be better for it.
Proudly Nigerian
Right now it may not be so fresh to be a Nigerian.
From the Boko Haram-induced insecurity to the grinding poverty and all that is in between, many Nigerians simply wish they had been born in some other country. But the truth is no one can propel Nigeria to greatness apart from her people.Our current situation will not change until we stop complaining and begin to hope for a better Nigeria. Even though I’m rushing this piece before PHCN withholds the gift of light and my internet connection is more of turbulent flow than laminar, I still stand tall and say to the world,
“I’M PROUD TO BE NIGERIAN!!!!!”
Before we get started
Whether you are Muslim or not , I think it’s very important to note some basic facts about the most misunderstood religion in the world.
1. It was sent down by Allah (God) to the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.). It literally means peace. It is complete submission to the will of Allah(S.W.T)
2. There are five pillars in Islam
*First is Iman(faith).To be Muslim, you have to believe that Allah is One and that there is no other deity worthy of worship except Him
And that Muhammad (s.a.w.) is His Messenger
*Muslims pray five times a day.This is Salah
* Muslims fast one whole month in a year- in the holy month of Ramadan
*Muslims give a 2.5% of their annual wealth to the poor. This is called Zakah
*For those who can afford it, it’s compulsory to perform Hajj( pilgrimage) to Makkah at least once in a lifetime.
3.The Qur’an was sent down to guide mankind and is the Holy Book.
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Next time, we’ll learn more about Islam.
Today’s Quote
” Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there” -Stevie Wonder
The Hungry Lion
Like a lion devouring its prey
You treat me with just as much savagery
Taking what you have no right to
Stealing from me in the worst way
~ * ~
No care for what I feel about this
All that matters is your transient glee
It’s a fleeting moment for you
Life’s just been taken from me
~ * ~
At first it was a struggle
I scratch and bite as much as i can
With each rough shove I panic
Each moment that passes, I grow frantic
~ * ~
At last, the painful truth dawned on me
My life has just been changed forever
Waiting for it all to end
Seems like eternity
~ * ~
I try not to think of the mess
I try not to cry
I try not to blame myself
But all these I did
~ * ~
I watch all my dreams shatter
All fantasies crumble before my very eyes
The pain growing intense
I wonder if you know you are hurting me
~ * ~
Ounce by ounce, you kill me slowly
Dignity and self-worth gone with the wind
I hear you grunt as i writhe in pain
It happens so fast I do not understand in time
~ * ~
It seems like it’s over
More for you of course
I feel bashed, beaten, battered and abused
Crushed,betrayed,discarded and used
~ * ~
I ponder as you disappear
If I could be worse than
Something the cat sicked up
I can’t find the strength to stand
~ * ~
All my essence wasted
A hole has been dug in my soul
Bitterness and hatred fills it
How will the pieces of my life fit?
~ * ~
Walk about like one in a trance
Can’t find the words
Tears fill in for me
Hear the questions,see their faces
~ * ~
Why weren’t they around
When I needed them the most?
I honestly can not explain it all
As I only just began to understand
~ * ~
I feel like running away from
What I have become
No revenge do I want
To die is all that will suffice
~ * ~
Can’t bring my eyes to the mirror
Everyone steals looks at me
Wish I could tell them not to bother
I’m not worth a kobo
~ * ~
Too weak to hurt myself
My head is down under too
And so I have to keep moving
Through life like a ghost
~ * ~
Filled with regret and sorrow
Something has simply stopped
Never to continue again
~ * ~
It’s no use running to the law
It wasn’t made for girls like me
I’ve got to suffer and bear the brunt alone
~ * ~
Being examined by another man
Makes it seem like
It’s happening all over again
But by now, I’ve gone past caring
~ * ~
How did I fall into this trap?
Could I have avoided it?
Why did it have to be me?
What’s there to talk about?
~ * ~
No shrink can help me forget
The ugly episode is stuck in my memory
~ * ~
If I could turn back the clock,
I would never have accepted the ride.
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As you all read it,remember that women and girls are being violated around the world, in your locality,even right this minute.As against the stereotype where the rapist hunts down his prey,sometimes the victim unwittingly exposes herself to danger.I tried to illustrate this in the poem.Girls please think twice before you accept that free ride!
4 lines
yesterday i learnt this
when faced with distress
all you have to do is
declog your wheel of progress