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APRIL 1-15 2013
VOL 001 Nº32
FREE
THE HYPOCRISY OF IMMIGRATION CONTROL POLICY.
By Ukachukwu Okorie
Recently, the book ‘Us & Them’ written by Bridget Anderson of the Centre on Migration, Policy and Society (COMPAS), Oxford University, was launched in the Jonathan Swift Theatre, Arts Building, Trinity College. The book, which explores the
‘Dangerous Politics of Immigration Control’, adds to the growing debate on issues about asylum and immigration around the world. Bridget Anderson’s synopsis of the book states that “It examines migration within the long history of continued on page 3
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AFRICAWORLD APRIL 1-15 2013
EDIToR’s columN
The return of the native
EDITORIAL
YOUR STORY IS YOUR IDENTITY
“If you don’t like someone’s story, write your own.”
By Ukachukwu Okorie
The passing on of Chinua Achebe, father of modern African literature, has
CHINUA ACHEBE in Owerri where he enrolled in the school his elder brother taught.
brought up, once more, the issue of stories and identity. ‘Who are you? What are you known for?’, are the fundamental
In 1944, A c h e b e g a i n e d admission to Government College in Umuahia and later moved on to the University College of Ibadan, where he studied English, History and Theology. While in the University College, he contributed many stories and essays to the school magazine, University Herald.
conceptions that Chinua Achebe raised to challenge Africa and the world.
‘Unless the Hunted gives his account, the story of the hunt will favour the Hunted’. How do we tell our story? It starts from projecting positive attitudes and letting the world see that you have a culture. What about the children, do they know your story? They need to know your story, your culture and history; where it all started.
“If you don’t like my story, write yours”, Achebe advised, but have you been informed?
It is only you that know your story, others are telling a counterfeit. Let there be a kindling of the spirit to tell our story. No matter ‘whose ox is gored’, it is necessary to live up to the responsibility of telling your own story. Prevent yourself from being stereotyped by maintaining the ‘Chinua Achebe’ legacy - give your account. Happy Easter!
Uka
Chinua Achebe, Nigeria and Africa’s foremost novelist and poet is not new to literary minds. Professor Achebe is better known as the author of ‘Things Fall Apart’ published in 1958, and which is regarded as the most widely read book in African literature. Born on 16 November 1930 in the Igbo town of Ogidi near Onitsha in southeastern Nigeria to Isaiah Okafor and Janet Anaenechi Iloegbunam Achebe, Chinụalụmọgụ Achebe saw the clash between African tradition and Christianity. Thus, the significance of this inculturation became, to a great extent, his inspiration to write the continent’s most important literature and reaction to the whiteman’s new religion. At 12, Chinua Achebe went to Nekede
According to the literary genius, the knack for writing developed due to his love for stories, “stories told in our home, first by my mother, then by my elder sister—such as the story of the tortoise— whatever scraps of stories I could gather from conversations, just from hanging around, sitting around when my father had visitors”, he said. After graduation, he taught in Merchant of Light in Oba near Onitsha for four months, before moving to Lagos in 1954 to work for the Nigerian Broadcasting Service (NBS) which was newly established. Asked how he ventured into the broadcasting career, Achebe said, “I got into it through the intervention of Professor Welch. He had tried to get me a scholarship to Trinity College, Cambridge, and it didn’t work out. So the next thing was the
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broadcasting department, which was newly started in Nigeria, with a lot of BBC people. So that’s how I got into it.” His involvement in the Nigeria – Biafra civil war was another highlight in his post 1970 writings as he has denounced time without number the frivolities and misdirection of Nigeria by its leaders. In 18 February 1975, his lecture An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad’s “Heart of Dark ness” became the focus of controversy among European Academics for its criticism of Joseph Conrad as “a bloody racist.” His expanded criticism when he presented a Chancellor’s Lecture at Amherst decried Conrad’s book as dehumanising to Africans. According to Chinua Achebe, it rendered Africa as “a metaphysical battlefield devoid of all recognisable humanity, into which the wandering European enters at his peril.” Chinua Achebe legacy transcends the African literary firmament. He is regarded as the father of modern African writing and many scholarly works and essays have been published about him. In 2004 and 2011, he rebuffed Nigeria’s attempt to honour him with one of their prestigious government awards, citing corruption and lawlessness in leadership. The issue of conspiracy against the Republic of Biafra during the Nigerian civil war made him disillusioned against the direction of the country of his birth. His works are too numerous to mention and they are translated into tens of languages. It is believed that his criticism of Conrad’s book denied him a Nobel Prize in Literature. Asked by a reporter if he regretted not winning the award, “My position is that the Nobel Prize is important. But it is a European prize. It’s not an African prize…. Literature is not a heavyweight championship”, he answered. Achebe is the recipient of over 30 honorary degrees from universities around the world. He is acknowledged not only as one of the greatest literary genius to emerge on earth but a great inspiration to critical minds. Chinua Achebe died on March 21, 2013, in Boston, United States of America.
and seeks to synergise its work in accordance with those aims wherever possible. Those goals are to improve
issues of Education, Health, HIV/AIDS, Gender Equality, Environmental Sustainability and Global Partnerships.
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APRIL 1-15 2013
AFRICAWORLD
NEWs (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1) control over the mobility of the unsettled poor. Restrictions and punishments once imposed on vagrants and ‘masterless men’ are now the preserve of immigration controls...” Although the author ’s argument tilts towards the contemporary politics of immigration controls in the United Kingdom, it energises groups and activists campaigning against obnoxious state laws and contradictions in the history of migrations across the world. Having seen the rise of campaigns against patterns of state migration laws, even on moral grounds, the question is: are policies like deportation, ‘Direct Provision’ housing, the economic and socio-psychological strangling of migrants - particularly those categorised as asylum seekers - fair? The agents and apparatus of states have successfully categorised migrants as either legal or illegal migrants, thereby making certain people feel alien or unwanted, while announcing the vitality in the arrival of others who probably have cash. It also makes people from certain regions -particularly the developing countries - feel like a ‘nuisance’ when they exhibit the human migrating character. Ireland offers a purview of states and their retrogressive immigration policies, especially in the treatment of those who seek protection for different reasons. Speaking to AfricaWorld recently, the Anti Racism Network, a group of volunteers campaigning to abolish the Direct Provision system in Ireland, highlighted the ‘sins’ of the government towards asylum seekers. Following an address to a strategic committee in the Dáil (the Irish Parliament), the group stated: “We were there to remind them of the conditions children are facing in the Direct Provision system. It was an avenue for us to inform a wider Ireland that this is an urgent matter. We cannot continue to let a system that violates human rights continue. It was also an
opportunity to inform the Irish press of the plight of asylum seekers in Ireland.” To further expose the ills and frustrations in this government-engineered system, the group plans to start up a journal of people’s thoughts and voices. The Anti Racism Network Journal will compile articles, poems, recitations, drawings and other materials on racism. According to our correspondent, it will be a journal of ordinary people in Ireland and the wider world concerning the assault on the dignity of people in the asylum process. During European Week Against Racism, which ran from 16 to 24 March, there was exhibition of photos, drawings, collage and mosaic to show a tip of the iceberg. The dedication of volunteers in the Anti Racism Network has been outstanding as they have grown from nothing, with little support and limited income. In fact, the group’s campaign has energised other groups, teaching them that sheer determination can kindle the fire in a movement. Most Irish people do not understand the processes in the asylum system. Although campaigns are gaining momentum, people must stand up and be counted. Is it in the state’s interest to perpetuate this policy, polishing it as if it were to Ireland’s advantage? It is an ignorant policy and does not help economically; rather, it conflicts with the image of a society that acts as liberal and cosmopolitan. It contradicts the history of this nation and its people. The deprivations of asylum seekers are too numerous to mention: from the denial of third-level education to the lack of freedom to pursue their dreams in life. There is a litany of deprivations and government should hearken to the voice of reason.
p u b l i s h e d a b o o k - B l a c k b ox Abschiebung. Geschichten und Bilder von Menschen, die gerne geblieben wären (Black Box Deportation. Stories and Images of People who Would Like to Have Stayed), “deportation only works in an environment of intransparency”. Ireland must not be on the wrong side of history as this treatment will definitely echo in the ears of generation next.
Prof. Bridget Anderson at the Jonathan Swift Theater
According to the Cologne-based Journalist, Miltiades Oulios, who recently
ARN volounteers & activists at the Erase Racism Exibition - Dublin City Council
Photo By NIGEL HANLON
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X-RAY
is your sting?” (1Cor.15:54-55). Christ conquered death by his death. The source of life restored life to his creatures by his dying.
with Fr. Vin
EASTER AND THE EMPTY TOMB passage from humiliation (right from Bethlehem to Calvary) to glory; a passage from hostility to adoration; a movement from weakness to power, mortality to immortality, death to life” (Igwegbe, I. O., The Treasure of the Word, p.75).
By Fr. Vincent Ezeoma Arisukwu Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of Christ. It is the celebration of the greatest mystery of man’s salvation, the celebration of Christ’s victory over sin and death. Thomas Pazhayampallil compared Easter with Christmas thus: “Easter is the greatest feast of the Christian year. There is none like it. The birth of Christ at C h r i s t m a s i s i n c re d i b l y magnificent. But Christmas is only “mission begun”, while Easter is “mission accomplished” (Pazhayampallil T., Words of Eternal Life, Vol. 1, p.476). According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “… Easter is not simply one feast among others, but the “feast of feasts,” the “solemnity of solemnities,” just as the Eucharist is the “sacrament of sacraments” (the Great Sacrament)” (CCC 1169). At Easter, the mission of Christ for coming into this world, namely, “that they may have life and have it more abundantly” (Cf. Jn. 10:10), is fulfilled. The Easter Feast is a celebration of faith in the Lamb of God. In the light of the old Jewish festival, faith was a progression; a movement. It was an efficacious remembrance of the history of the Jewish freedom, a Passover from Egyptian slavery to the Promised Land guaranteed by the blood of the lamb. The biblical Jews celebrated the Pasch which marked the beginning of their journey to freedom at God’s own initiative from the hands of the Pharaoh. The miracle of God’s love for his people thus continues in history in the faith of his believers. Jesus is the Paschal Lamb for sacrifice in the New Testament. He is the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). He is the Lamb without blemish, with whose precious blood the liberation of man from the slavery of sin was realised. Christ’s Paschal, according to Igwegbe, means “the great
The Easter festival could be appreciated a little more by the drama of the empty tomb (cf. John 20:1-10). Early in the morning Mary Magdalene moves to the tomb only to behold the sight of the empty tomb. The stone covering the tomb is carefully removed and the saviour is no longer in the tomb. She goes back to report to the apostles with Peter, the beloved apostle, running down to the tomb to ascertain the truth in Mary Magdalene’s report. The two get to the tomb and gather more facts to make them bearers of the resurrection. Scripture has it that what they saw made them “believe” and “then they returned home” (John 20: 9-10). We could recall that Jesus in the scriptures took his disciples through Galilee and taught them that “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days
after his death he will rise.” The bible noted, “But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him” (Mark 9: 30-32). Even after the transfiguration, the disciples “kept questioning what rising from the dead meant” (Cf. Mark 9:10). So the drama of the empty tomb was a manifestation of the good news of the resurrection, a revelation and fulfilment of Christ’s prophecy to the apostles. It was a proof of the glory of God, a demonstration of the powerlessness of death. The empty tomb was a proof that death has no power over the Son of God. When Mary Magdalene returned from the empty tomb, she brought back a message; her message was that Christ was not there. Then the disciples went to the tomb and came back with a stronger message; they entered the tomb and saw greater evidence, not only that He was not there but that He was risen. Certainly the empty tomb became a symbol of witness to the glory of the resurrection. The empty tomb indicated that the Messiah could not be conscripted to the dungeons of death and the darkness of the tomb. St. Paul questions, “Death, where is your victory? Death, where
St. Paul would also write, “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is without substance, and so is your faith” (1Cor.15: 14). Imagine if Peter and the disciples had gone to the tomb and found it closed with Christ inside. That would have been the greatest of “salvific disasters”, a “divine tragedy”. But they found the tomb empty with the saviour raised in glory. The empty tomb is therefore the symbol of the weakness of death, the futility of falsehood and the fragility of human manipulations. It symbolises the emptiness of sin. It signals a warning; that at the dawn of salvation all will be vain and empty, unless they give glory to God. The empty tomb is also a symbol of mission, to announce to the world the implications of the resurrection and the tragedies of emptiness. At the resurrection of Christ humanity is sent on a mission into the world, to bear witness to the risen Christ. Easter is not just part of the church’s cycle or mere fulfilment of the liturgical year. It is a real invitation to believe in the resurrection of Christ and to become witnesses to the risen Christ. It is an invitation to detach oneself from the vanities and emptiness of mundane existence. It is an invitation to ponder with Christ and to say no to all false and negative influences in the world. It is an invitation to abandon
falsehood, bribery and corruption, gossip, slander, calumny and other threats to life. It is an invitation to abandon evil ways and to bear witness to the truth that leads to salvation. It is an invitation to say no to an empty world engulfed by violence and annihilation. Witnessing the resurrection means distancing oneself from the empty tomb of wickedness and sin and to run in search of the living Christ, the saviour of the world. Like Mary Magdalene, Peter and John, who not only saw the empty tomb but went back to convey the message of Christ’s resurrection to others, Easter carries with it certain urgency. It invites believers to hasten to announce to the world that there is nothing to be gained associating with the things of darkness. It invites the world to rise up in search of Christ who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. It is, importantly, an invitation to rise above our human weaknesses and failures, to recognise the emptiness of succumbing to the whims of our human desires, to discover the emptiness of betraying our values and religious commitments at the expense of material and profane attractions. We must rise in search of the risen Christ at Easter. When we search for Him, we bid farewell to emptiness. When we search for Him we rediscover our strength. When we search for Him, we abandon our wicked ways and thus identify with that which adds value to the dignity of the human person in the world. Happy Easter!
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dd’s cubicle
IS THE EURO KILLING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIES? By Dunstan Ukaga
An article in the Newsweek magazine of 3 April 2011, entitled “Murder on the EU E x p r e s s ’’, states: “ Y o u remember Agatha Christie’s classic whodunit Murder on the Orient Express? The problem for the great Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot was that there were far too many suspects. The strange death of the European Union may prove to be a rather similar case. So used are we to hearing the process of European integration likened to an unstoppable train that we discount the idea it could ever stop in its tracks. Yet the reality is that Europe has been quietly disintegrating for some time. Outwardly, it’s true, Europe’s leaders still appear to be inching toward their longcherished goal of “ever closer union”. Last month they agreed to set up a new European Stability Mechanism to deal with future financial crises. It’s still a long way from being the United States of Europe, but most Americans assume that’s the ultimate destination: a truly federal system like their own. Think again. Not only has the economic crisis blown holes in the finances of nearly all EU states, it has also revealed a deep reluctance on the part of those least affected to bail out the hardest hit.” Will Europe ever recover from her worst financial crisis? European economies shrank in the fourth quarter at their fastest rate since the depth of the financial crisis in 2009; new data showed last week that with both strong and weak countries falling short of expectations and raising anxieties of a longer, deeper recession, Europe is in a worse situation. The International Monetary Fund projects a robust growth for the United States this year but just half that for the Eurozone. Even more striking is the extent of economic divergence within the Euro area. While the German economy was growing at an annualised rate of around 6 per cent, Greek growth in the fourth quarter of 2 years ago was minus 6 per cent. Germany and France, hitherto the economic power houses of Europe, are now caught up in a slump that was already well under way in other big Eurozone economies like Spain and Italy. The report is really scary. In the Eurozone, economic output shrank 0.6 per cent from October through December, compared with the previous quarter, according to official figures published last week. That came after a decline of 0.1 per cent in the third quarter. It looks like every one of the Eurozone’s 17 members suffered a drop in gross domestic
product (GDP). In the three biggest Euro economies, GDP fell 0.6 per cent in Germany, 0.3 per cent in France and 0.9 per cent in Italy. In France, the Socialist president, François Hollande, who was elected on a populist vote, and his finance minister, Pierre Moscovici, after pledging to reduce the budget deficit this year to 3 per cent of GDP, as required under Eurozone rules, had been greatly embarrassed. With all the promises Pierre Moscovici had made that the government would meet the 3 per cent limit this year, this promise seems impossible. Unfortunately, Spain is already dead. Matthew Yglesias describes Spain’s situation in the Slate hus: “Spain is in a complete economic crisis. Its unemployment rate of 24.4 per cent is higher than the US unemployment rate during the worst of the Great Depression. And there’s no Spanish New Deal waiting around the corner to turn things around. The prolonged spell of mass unemployment is going to degrade workers’ abilities and prevent young people from gaining skills. The most capable and daring Spaniards will emigrate abroad, and Spanish firms will (rationally) fail to invest in improving the productivity of their workers. This bleak outlook will make investors more reluctant to loan euros to the Spanish government, which will then force more rounds of tax hikes and budget cuts, which will further crush the Spanish economy. A country that was booming a few years ago now looks
doomed.”
Unemployment ratios have remained high in many European countries, creating political instability that was amplified by governments’ need to cut spending. This is risky indeed. The deepest misery is still in Greece, even if fewer people are predicting that the country will have to leave the Eurozone. Unemployment rose to a record 27 per cent in November last year, the Greek Statistics Agency said a few days ago. Nearly two-thirds of young people are jobless. With all the troubles in Italy, nobody knows when Italians will breathe a sign of relief. Italy has one of the worst growth records of any country. Between 1990 and 2010, the Italian economy grew to 19 per cent. Had Italy grown as fast as the US, its debt would be manageable. Today, Italy like the rest of Europe, is groaning under a painful recession. Over the past week, the world has been transfixed again by a disaster on a small island on the periphery of Europe. This catastrophe is in Cyprus. But as if to prove that history really does rhyme, one of the two main banks at the heart of this crisis is called Laiki. Cyprus has accepted the bail out, but what it portends for a Cypriot economy that has a high level of Russian investment is yet to be seen. Having been landed with yet another country’s banking crisis, the rest of the Eurozone is understandably keen to get it resolved and move on. The general tenor of this week’s communications from the
troika of the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the IMF has been that Cyprus is a tiny economy with some idiosyncratic problems that cannot be read into the rest of the euro area. Economic analysts have seen why the Euro is killing Europe: “The underlying problem is the euro’s failure to create a truly integrated market for labor. In the decade after the euro’s creation in 1999, German unit labor costs rose by less than 40 percent; the equivalent figure for Spain was 80 percent. Workers in the periphery took monetary union to mean they should be paid as well as workers in the German core. But their productivity didn’t rise to German levels. At the same time, people in countries like Ireland took the post-1999 reduction in interest rates — one of the most obvious benefits to the periphery of euro membership — as a signal to go on a borrowing binge. The result: Ireland and Spain behaved a lot like Florida and Nevada. House prices bubbled, then burst.” Nowadays, people are asking: did the Euro kill Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal, and the rest of them? On this, Stefan Auer from Austria states boldly: “common currency is killing Europe’’. The common European currency is a failed project. The elaborate Ponzi scheme worth billions of euros is nearing its end. One year on, having made commitments, guarantees and pledges in the realm of a trillion dollars, the EU is no closer to resolving the problems of the Eurozone.
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PEoPlE
PRIDE OF AFRICA PAMELA UMEH
A student of Donahies Community School. Pamela is a talented singer and actress. She sang at the AfricaWorld 1st Anniversary and won at music talent shows. She was nominated to sing at the DCU Award Ceremony. She sang with Paul Harrington (Winner of Ireland Eurovision) at the Hilton Hotel. Pamela won at the Donaghmede singing competition and the D’idol singing contest. She loves singing and ready to take her passion to the next stage.
60 SECONDS WITH THE DUCHESS Yusuf Abubakar is the Ceo of Apparel Polo (AP Label), a unique upcoming fashion line. AP label was founded in 2010 and has since grown from strength to strength . Check out www.apparelpolo. co.uk for more info
What inspired you to start your own line? Have you always dreamt of becoming a designer ? My life revolves around fashion. You could say it was inevitable. My mum, even though not a professional tailor, has a gift for making clothes and my grandfather was a merchant known for his hide and skin sewing.
Nena Duchez Huntaz
Did you study Fashion design? No. I am actually a computer engineer
What has been your major challenge? I wouldn’t call it a challenge but I would say studying and building a new brand. What advice would you give any young aspiring designer? Stay focused. Make it a passion. Love it. Play around with ideas Have a plan Know your market
How can one get hold of your designs? Orders can be made from www. shugakane.com .Search for Apparel Polo.
APRIL 1-15 2013
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NEWs
WOMEN SPACE CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
Women’s Space is a new platform set up by the New Communities Partnership. It’s main aim is to provide an enabling space for migrant women to operate and excel. AfricaWorld was at their celebration of International Women’s Day, where we talked to the Coordinator, Adaku Ezeudo. What happened today? Women Space is celebrating International Women’s Day. We are here to celebrate how women
all over the world have inspired us. We are here to support each other and tap into those potentials that women never even thought of. It talk about the space to share and learn.
Are you the founder? Women’s Space is an New Communities P initiative and I am the coordinator.
What are the core objectives of this group? It is to galvanise all women and
bring them together. It wants to end women in isolation because it is one of the challenges facing migrant women. It is an opportunity to learn and move together. We do not want any woman to be left behind or stuck. It is all about learning to support yourself for progress. Would you say Women’s Space is a feminist organisation? I would be careful with the word ‘feminist’. It is a platform for all migrant where women wants to a c h i e ve t h e i r go a l s a n d
fulfillment. When was it started? It was started in January 2012 and it involves women from all walks of life.
What inspires you about this service and International Women’s Day? It inspires me. When women come together, there’s always energy. I personally learnt today during our celebration about women high achiever. Probably,
I may not have learnt much without today. What is your target for 2013? Because Women’s Space is a new platform trying to stand on its feet, we are creating awareness, informing other others about who we are, and coming together to network. We intend to be active and give a lot back to the Irish society. We are identifying the issues that hinder women from reaching their fulfillment and goals. Infact we do want to help ourselves too.
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PICTURES US & THEM book launch - Jonathan Swift Theater, Trinity College. ANC Human Rights Day - at Teachers Club, Dublin.
Adorable Mum Fundraising Dinner.
Erase Racism Exhibition, Dublin City Council.
Igbo Union mini Convention.
APRIL 1-15 2013
BEAuTY & FAsHIoN
Afro Coulture
By Tina N Williams
Stand up for what you believe in enough is enough! Never back down.There is no such word as “i cant” or “impossible” when you have your dream or vision you can move anything even a mountain if its in your way.
Be a Leader....... Be different Be Unique......Stand out Be a trend setter.... Not a follower Be the head ..... Not the Tail
you know that THE F WORD.... Did the word Fashion not mean FASHION! WE does clothing only it also n c l u d e s ALL KNOW IT, iaccessories, shoes, styles, trends and WE SING IT beauty products too. can be BUT WHAT DO Fashion seasonal or followed trends. It is YOU KNOW through important to follow both as knowing ABOUT IT? What to wear , When to wear it, Whats in season and keeping up to date with current trends. This year COLOR is the word on the street people. We are privileged to have Ethnic skin as we are tanned already .We have an advantage when it comes to wearing any COLORS. So lets make good use it. I can not even count how many times i have heard girls say” I have dark skin so i can wear anything and still look fabulous”. Or as they say in Naija “ I beg my sister wear anything its fine oooh nobody will notice ha”
AFRICAWORLD
R
eaders this week we have a HOT topic Fashion...........
Most important learn Stay True To Yourself and Never give up... Helena Kampbell.
Hour Glass Figure: Defines women with curves or pear shaped, wears same size of top and bottom and the body is in proportion. TIP: Make the most of your figure by wearing clothes that show your body and your figure as your waist and bust help show if off. Remember always wear clothes that are well fitted e.g skinny jeans, fitted blouse tucked in and jean tucked into a small boot or compliment with heels. How to dress your body according to your figure Knowing your body is just as important as important as knowing your skin as i mentioned in last weeks column. Being beautiful does not mean you look good all the time .You might have great make up on but if
you do not have the a sense of style it means nothing. PLEASE seek some advice if you do not have knowledge about Style and Skin. TIP:Knowing what to wear to specific places, events and etc is essential .Before buying your outfit always keep in mind the following What type of party or event is it/ who is attending Is the dress code formal or informal Are you dressed approriately according to the event Remember shoes, handbag and accessories complete the outfit and must either match or compliment each other. Hair Style Tip: Sometimes simple says a lot! If it is broken do not fix it. I am taking about hair style and colors. Rihanna is a trend setter. But can you? Why do you always follow other people? BE UNIQUE and be a trend setter like any of the above stars.
Well let me give you readers a tip.... That is a Fashion Crime`! Having dark skin does not make you a fashionista or goddess. It is up to us as individuals to know our bodies very well hence we will be able to dress ourselves . You can be your own personal stylist once you know yourself. In terns of Fashion . Do you know your body shape? Body Shape of the Week
BE INSPIRED BY POWERFUL ETHNIC AND BLACK WOMEN
I have chosen Beyonce Aka Mrs Carter.She a leading lady, her walk her style and appeal. She is an inspiration and a perfect example of achievement.
Having her own clothing label Dereon, House of Dereon. She has done it again the wait is over! She finally launches her newest clothing label in Collaboration with H&M May 2013..... It will be called “ Beyonce as Mrs Carter” She helped design her collection. It will include High -Waisted shorts, Beach dresses, Beach Gowns and bikinis. Beyonce is a Wife, a daughter, sister, friend, public figure, celebrity, Musician, performer Actress and most importantly a Mother and a multi-tasker. What have you achieved? Time to take action! BE INSPIRED.........
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IT & ADoRABlE mum
TECH_PILOt >>>>>>>> with Uchenna Onyenagubo
PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN FROM CYBERCRIME!!! laptops and mobile smart phones. Because of the nature of this changing world, the degree of cybercrime has increased to a serious level. To this end, it is imperative that we are cautious of activities performed online, from personal transactions to social networking.
The Internet has become a place that provides solutions to most issues. Its use is spread across different races and ages. Information is shared with millions of users, both known and unknown. Many activities are completed online, making it easier to accomplish task with less cost and energy. One cannot overemphasise the relevance of the Internet; it has impacted on every sphere of life. If you do not join in with the trend, I am afraid you will be left behind. For example, paper copies are going out of fashion, now replaced by tablets, notes, mini
In this edition of Tech Pilot, I wish to provide you with a few tips to watch out for when on the Internet. Younger users are more vulnerable in this regard and proper attention must be paid to them. Kids use the Internet to study, browse for information, play games and socialise. These activities are accepted as constructive because of the nature of teaching in our learning institutions; children therefore derive tremendous benefits from the Internet. Bear in mind, however, that other users may abuse the Internet and many of them are sexual predators and cyber bullies. TIPS to guide younger users To keep young people safe on the Internet, discuss the risks and safe use with them to keep them informed. A predator’s initial attacking strategy is to search for
personal details so young people should adhere to the following: • Do not publish full names, school name, home address, email address, mobile or home telephone numbers, or images where they could easily be accessible by others. Be cautious filling out details on social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter etc. • Do not give out personal details to online friends you do not know offline. • Never post anything you wouldn’t want your parents, teachers or future employers to see. NOTE: once you post information online, you can’t retrieve it - even if you delete the information from a site. • Never share your passwords, user names, account IDs or PINs with anyone besides your parents. • Do not leave mobile phones or other personal electronics like tablets, laptops etc. unattended. • Never consider meeting someone you only know online without your parent’s consent. • Never open messages or attachments from someone you don’t know. It could be a virus, harmful to your device or even an inappropriate image. • Do not add people as
friends on social networking sites if you don’t have a good knowledge of them or have no real life contact with them. This includes instant messaging software/applications. • Do not live a double life; present yourself online as you are in reality. Many people live double lives, misleading others. • Talk to your parents if something appears inappropriate or makes you feel uncomfortable. Remember, there are impersonators out there who lie about their real identity. Someone you meet on the Internet may not be the right person to share your problems with - not to mention meeting with them face to face For Parents: In addition to discussing the rules with your children, these are a few proactive steps that you can take. Monitor, control and protect your child while using a home computer or laptop by changing the settings in its operating system. Most antivirus software implements parental controls to guard and manage Internet usage by children. This will control their time on the Internet as well as limit access to inappropriate sites.
than instantly filtering, by switching on the ‘Family Safety’ setting, parents first monitor their children’s activity with weekly reports and then decide what specific limits and blocks to impose. Internet Service Provider options It’s worth checking with your broadband Internet service provider (ISP) about blocking sites. Many providers have specific parental controls to block ‘adult’ sites such as pornography and gambling. However, doing this would also limit what adults can view on the Internet, as it operates through your router, affecting every device on your wi-fi network. Microsoft Family Safety This free software, which you can easily download on the web, offers in-depth control for Windows PC users. Functions include: • Blocking a range of content of your choosing and managing access individually. • Setting specific time limits for when and how long children are allowed to log on. • Blocking access to specific
Windows 7 lets parents block access to 18-rated films and television, and to ‘block’ programs from children - and to set timers. Windows 8, which was released recently, uses a slightly different method. Rather
YOU ARE AN ADORABLE MUM!
Brighten up your corner today!
Leader of Adorable Mum ADM Gbeminiyi ‘Gee Bee’ Shogunle
“Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.” ~ Mother Theresa This quote by Mother Theresa is encouraging us all to take up our own responsibility in life and strive to be our own leader. The truth is, if we are always waiting for somebody to initiate our actions then we may never achieve anything but if we work on our own goals and brighten our small corners then we can begin to do the same for others. Every corner of the world has its clouds, gripes, complainers, hurts, pains and so on. Many people are going through life feeling discouraged and defeated and think there is nothing they can do to make a difference yet many fail to realise that they can do so much just by doing the little they can in their small corner. If we must make a difference in the world, we must be ready to brighten our small corners and allow its’ light to
shine through to the world. We must give out as much energy as possible from our small corners in order to result in the entire globe being covered in light. And as parents, we can do even much more because children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see and what’s done to children they will do to society. If we go the extra mile and use our parental influence as an effective tool, we can reach out and make a difference in the society. We all can’t be famous but we can all effect change in many different ways and circumstances, what is most important, is that we must always make the best of where we find ourselves. You’re in control of your small corner of the world. BRIGHTEN IT! Here is a poem titled BRIGHTEN THE CORNER WHERE YOU ARE We cannot all be famous Or be listed in “Who’s Who,” But every person, great or small, Has important work to do. For seldom do we realize The importance of small deeds, Or to what degree of greatness Unnoticed kindness leads. For it’s not the big celebrity In a world of fame and praise, But it’s doing unpretentiously In an undistinguished way.
The work that God assigned to us, Unimportant as it seems, That makes our task outstanding, And brings reality to dreams. So do not sit and idly wish For wider, new dimensions where you can put into practice, Your many good intentions. But at the spot God placed you Begin at once to do, Little things to brighten up The lives surrounding you. If everybody brightened up The spot where their standing, By being more considerate, And a little less demanding.
This dark old world would very soon Eclipse the evening star, If everybody brightened up The corner where they are! ~ Helen Steiner Rice Brighten up YOUR corner TODAY, and together we can all continue to make a difference. (Quote reference: John W. Whitehead & Karl Menninger)
APRIL 1-15 2013
AFRICAWORLD 11
FAmIlY coRNER
P
s m e o orie
kwu Ok By Ukachu
IROKO, THE TREE, HAS FALLEN. Whistling in the forest dew drop from leaves It hoot at me mimicking the sound they let out the scream crying and crying the birds tweet bringing hisses on dry leaves but the chirruping alarmed tears and moan steadied they growled and roared rainforest shook afar it fell like shade for birds of the earth Iroko, the tree, has fallen.
JTF “We are only imprudent servants, And have done what we ought to” That ancient book somewhere urged For we need not be lauded or adorned By our improbable breath or even death But by the mission as accomplished From the vision of Oga at the top! Here, there we gored two Gbokoman Burnt many illegal refineries elsewhere Nabbed one bomber and or were bombed Yet, we need diehard character of forces We need to refine our oil from our land And we know Gboko is not too bad What is not good about their tenacity? The militaristic spirit could be sublimated We know too our local refineries are good The cockroachedness of these oil poachers And they know we know they are smart Yet we need to dialogue these out brothers These tasks do not need this force as it were For neither limiting nor eliminating the other, Not going to break our nationhood the more Waste of manhood and every other hood
Wisdom Bits A mature eagle feather will ever remain pure. Meaning - One well trained will stand the test of time.
Ones actions today will determine his position in the future. Meaning - Good or bad, today’s acts may either come back to bless or haunt us.
FOLKTALE
Then the Woodpecker took very ill, suffering from a very painful ulcer beneath his beak. For many days, he was unable to eat or even talk, let alone chop the trunk of a tree with his beak. Around this time, his mother died and the other birds, which he had sworn to, challenged him and requested that he kept to the oath he swore. But the Woodpecker, who could neither eat nor talk, could not chop the trunk of the Iroko Tree with his beak as he had proudly claimed.
Ositadimma Amakeze
RIOT MANTRA
A stick of cigarette smoldering by Placards swung in the air like birds “We no go agree o, we no go gree” ‘Something’ was being marched, A collapsed rioter, no one cared She was shouting but no one heard One who saw her jumped and passed Others did ‘one two’ follow your leader Huts were shut and some even burnt And as a shop was being bulldozered A voice rose, “no, that’s my father’s” No one heard it in their disagreement No one agreed not to stop the ruin When one was seized by the police He was surprised to be the scapegoat His sister was the one, he didn’t know Nor did he know why the riot was on But he can’t disagree to face the law!
They herded like soldier ants And headed to the headquarters Carrying clubs, leaves and reeds Chanting and dancing war songs Echoing, “We no go agree!”
Ositadimma Amakeze
Some were with bottles of wine Another was choking at one end
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Salute the deaf; if the heavens don’t hear, the earth will hear. Meaning - Let’s endeavour to do right even if no one is watching.
AfricaWorld on
The tortoise said it is an abomination not to conduct his mother’s funeral with a cow, but if asked to produce one he couldn’t afford it. Meaning - Emphasizing the importance of the necessity of an object even though one cannot afford it.
RECIPE COLUMN
TALES FROM OWERE
THE PROUD WOODPECKER
During this time in the Birds Kingdom, the struggle to become a member of the Upper Class was “en vogue” and the Woodpecker resorted to many fraudulent means to meet or maintain his standards of the Upper Class. He bragged to the rest of the birds about potentials that he possessed and one day while sitting with other birds, the Woodpecker swore that if and when his mother died; he was going to chop down the trunk of an Iroko Tree with just his beak, as a mark of respect.
“A poem is never finished, only abandoned.” Paul Valery (1871-1945)
There’s time for everything. Meaning - Things should be done when the time is right for them.
All prayers end inAmen. Meaning - The essence of true religion is righteousness.
Once Upon a Time! In the realm of heavenly birds, there was the constant challenge to become the best of all birds. In this kingdom also lived the Woodpecker. (It is a very proud bird, lives an upper class life, and tells lies and boast to “buddies”.)
If Gboko is for us, which army or force Can withstand our manhood as a nation? If the illegal refineries should be applauded For refining at all, energized and legalized Localized, strategized and maximized We would be the world’s greatest JTF And stay at the top without acrimony!
CHICKEN STIR-FRY NOODLES by Chinwe Ihegbu
Ingredient
By Ukachukwu Okorie
½ tsp salt - ½ tsp black pepper 2 magi stock cube - Olive oil 2 skinless boneless chicken breast fillets 3 medium size carrots ½ pack baby corn 3 size sweet pepper 1 large onion or bunch of spring onions ½ tsp curry powder 1 clove of garlic peeled and crushed 250g Egg noodles
COOKING Cut the chicken, carrots, sweet pepper, baby corn into thin strips, cut your onions set aside. Spice the chicken by mixing it with the crushed garlic, salt and pepper. Boil water in a pan, add your noodles and cook for 2 minutes or according to the instruction on the pack, Drain and set aside. Heat oil in the pan and stir-fry the chicken for 2 to 3 minutes until the chicken is all white and no pink area exist. Add all the vegetables, magi stock cube, curry powder and 1 tablespoon of water into the pan that contains the chicken, stir, cover and let it steamfry together for 4-5minutes then pour in the noodles and stir so the ingredient mixes up well. Cook for 1 minute then serve.
12 AFRICAWORLD APRIL 1-15 2013
NEWs
“There are ethics to safeguard the family unit”
GEE BEE.
Gbeminiyi Shogunle (Gee Bee) is the founder of Adorable Mum, an international network of mothers. She is a Columnist with AfricaWorld, writing on variety of topics affecting family values, motherhood, parenting and kids.
What is Adorable Mum? Adorable Mum is a support forum that celebrates motherhood and our aim is for mothers to help one another be the best that they can be. The Adorable Mum forum provides an avenue for mothers to get together, connect, interact and learn from one another. It is a platform that helps mothers to provide and receive support from one another and it helps them realise that they are not alone in the tasking world of the modern mother. Every mother needs a good support system and this is what Adorable mum aims to provide for the modern mother. When did the organization start? The organization started in December 2010. What does parenting mean to Adorable Mum? Parenting to us, is same as child rearing. It involves raising, nurturing and providing adequate care for a child. It is the effective process of promoting and supporting the physical, emotional, social and intellectual development of a child from birth through infancy until adulthood. Parenting can be the most stressful yet most rewarding job of a parent’s life. However, it is a great tool, through which as parents, we can effect change in our society and in the world as a whole. Vision of Adorable Mum? Our major goal is to create an enabling environment where women can support and help one another. We hope to become a forum that will make motherhood and parenting easier, more exciting, more enjoyable and more rewarding. How did your Charity Dinner go? It went very well and part proceeds from the night will be going to Our Charity for the Year which is The Children Medical Research & Foundation, Our Lady’s Hospital, Crumlin. It was a very beautiful occasion and the theme for the night was ‘Brighten The Corner Where You Are’. Parents were encouraged to brighten their various corners and to do the best they can in their homes and with their kids so that together, we all can make a big difference in the world. A good number of people came out from all over Ireland to support us and they helped make it a colourful and memorable night. We also had great support from a few different companies in the community who gave us spot prizes for the night. Tesco Enfield, Browns Barn Citywest, Siopa Lara Clondalkin, Pattaya Clondalkin, Prisca Hair & Beauty, The Guinness Storehouse, Charlieworld Productions, Wiscome Ltd and Ivory Events. Who were there? The Kenyan Ambassador to Ireland, Her Excellency Catherine Muigai Mwangi; Tracy Barker (A Parenting Facilitator from the John Sharry Parenting Programme), Catriona McGloin (The Community Fundraising Manager, The Children Medical Research & Foundation, Our Lady’s Hospital, Crumlin) Patricia Olufemi (Miss Nigeria Ireland) and The Nigerian Ambassador to Ireland representative. We also had Ebun Akpoveta of The Unforgettable Woman Network, Dolapo Yusuf of God’s Grace Collections; Princess Adetoro of Shoprite, Tallaght; Pastor Thywill Bankole, Ada Eloji of Faith Family Initiative, Rilwon Jaiyeola and Tolu Akintola, Busola Shogbamimu of The Seperate Chef, Tallaght and many others. Apart from Ireland, where else is Adorable Mum? Adorable Mum has members all across the globe. We have over 13,000 members in different parts of the world. Recently, some of our members in about 20 different locations across the globe got together
to celebrate the second year anniversary of the organization. Some of the locations include Cameroon, USA, Canada, South Africa, UK, Nigeria, Ghana etc. As part of the celebration, our members in Cameroon, South Africa and Abeokuta, Nigeria paid a visit to orphanages in their local area and made donations to them on behalf of the organization. What is happening to the family structure in Ireland as many are breaking up? There are various reasons why the family structure is breaking up. The modern world is faced with so much and it seems to be having its effect on the family unit. However, I think it’s not an Ireland thing, it’s actually happening all over the world. As we have laws which guards a land, so also I believe there are ethics to safe guard a marital home. The new generation needs to be more enlightened and educated about the ethics and values of marriage. I personally consider family as one of the biggest task ever laid upon man’s hands. It takes a whole lot to keep the family bond together and all parties involved have to work together to make it work. Spare the Rod & Spoil the Child - Does Adorable Mum believe in that? What we believe is that a parent must not spare the ‘Rod of Discipline’. We don’t believe, that the word ‘Rod’ must mean stick, belt, whip or any manner of hitting. We believe that a parent’s good counsel, good advise, care, love, affection, appreciation, support, careful use of words etc. can serve as the ‘Rod’. Does Adorable Mum have other programs this year? Yes we do. Some other activities lined up for the year include a fun day for the children during summer, a Back to School coffee mornings and prayer meeting, the anniversary dinner, The Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) campaign. One of the key projects of Adorable Mum is to create awareness and Say No to Child Abuse. We run a child abuse campaign every year called The CAP campaign. CAP stands for Child Abuse Prevention. We run a one month awareness program on Child Abuse and aim to enlighten and help mothers understand child abuse better as well how they can prevent it. Last year, as part of our Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) campaign, we held a breakfast morning in aid of our 2012 chosen Charity of the Year, The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC), an Irish charity that advocates for children’s rights and we were able to raise some money for them. This year the campaign will hold in June and we hope to create even more awareness than we have done in the past years. What more do our readers need to know about Adorable Mum? Aside ADM being an online community of mothers who support mothers in their journeys, there is a lot that mothers can gain from ADM. We have various activities, projects and events offline. The events are called the ADM Meet ‘n’ Groove events and are organised from time to time. They are usually for mums to come together, meet one another, relax, have fun and groove together. Mothers can gain from these events in various ways as these events are targeted at getting mothers to relax and unwind, get enlightened or educated about various subjects and issues. In less than two years, we’ve had over 40 events in various locations across the world. We have other activities/projects where we reach out to people in different communities. (At the moment, our focus groups are orphans and abandoned children but we do have a few projects targeted at different groups of mothers and that should kick off soon). Also, a mother can gain some work experience if she chooses to work with our volunteer team.
CATRIONA McGLOIN The Community Fundraising Manager for the Children Medical Research & Foundation
ee Bee & the ai ill Bankole, G Pastor Thywassador, Catherine Muig b m A n kenia
FOUNDER ADORABLE MUM Gbeminiyi ‘Gee Bee’ Shogunle
APRIL 1-15 2013
AFRICAWORLD 13
NEWs
THE WIDOWS INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION IS BORN!
The loss of a partner could be devastating as we do not need to over emphasis on it. As a matter of fact, a new platform targeting widows is about to be launched in Ireland. The founder of the Widows International Organization, Agnes Njoku was upbeat about her dream when she talked to AfricaWorld. Why are you starting up a campaign for widows? My objectives include reaching out to widows to let them know that they need to be strong for themselves and their children. It is not easy to lose a beloved one let alone your partner and I intend to provide a platform to energize widows. So when are you launching it? The launching of my Organization will be coming up shortly. You will be the first to hear it as I intend to make good use of your far reaching medium to mobilize widows who are yearning for encourage and assistance. I intend to reach out to widows who does not have a voice as a result of tradition and cultural issues and influences. Most importantly, our organization intend to organize forum to educate them on their rights and priviledges.
AGONY CORNER Sexual Deposits-A True Life Narrative
About Pimping In Africa Banking Sectors By Abdul Yusuf
As a new employee in one of the generation bank back in 2008, we were given targets from the Head Office – to ‘get’ deposits, like they were hanging on trees and all we were to do was‘pluck’ the monies. Most women told me horrific stories of how they had affairs with men and women alike, all in the name of getting ‘deposits’. One particular incident stays with me: I had walked into the office of this
well known Independent Oil Marketer in my region – my church-member, to sell him my bank services, even though every other bank was offering same services. In his expansive office, he offered me this plush chair to sit on, and then he hastily went on to get me drink. I sat calmly, as my heart thudded in my chest, even as I thought of what to tell him since all I had planned to recite had evaporated immediately I beheld his lewd smile. He wore that same slimy smile as he offered me the bottle of Malt. “My pretty baby, what brings you to my humble office?” He was frenzied with excitement. He brought a low chair and sat opposite me, his knees almost grazing mine. He didn’t give me chance to catch my breath and confidence. My stomach quivered in fear. He knew this game well. “Sir..” “Call me, Emma,” He quipped in. He was almost as old as my father. “My name is Emmanuel Augustine.” “Joy-baby, don’t be shy. Be free with me. Talk to me.” He quickly grabbed my shoulders, shook them, and then left me again. He launched into a lot of nonsense about how I looked and how he liked my outfit, especially my shoes. I squirmed all the while.“Don’t be shy.” He held my hands in his. I stared at him, and then
pulled my hands away. He asked how long I had been in the banking industry. I said I was new. He beamed. He would give me deposit that would shock my manager. He will make me the envy of all in my branch. Ha! “Do you know if I call your MD and told him I am going to give you hundred thousand sum in fixed deposit you would be given double promotion? What is even your salary? Do you have an official car yet? I am going to shock you, baby. Just ask about me. Do you know how many ladies ‘chase’ me for deposit? I just like you.” I stared at my palms. My wedding ring glistened. I felt sad, then angry. I knew if I were a man he would not be this informal with me. He would have been respectful and might even have engaged me in a talk on politics or football or the financial markets. But I was a woman, and as expected, I deserved none
of those‘gentlemanly’discussions. What do we know, we women? We should be seen as sex objects- as toys to be played with, that’s the best respect you could give to a woman. Right? Not as human equals, but as objects to massage men’s ego. “Do you want to have sex with me?” I blurted. The smirk disappeared. He looked a little shaken. Then he quickly began to regain the lost balance. “Ehhh, you are one naughty girl..”The dirty smile crept out again. “I am not naughty.” He laughed out loud. “I like you. You are fearless.” “I didn’t know I was supposed to be afraid of you.” “No. No. I didn’t mean that. Just surprised by your boldness.” He was laughing still. “You don’t want to see me bold, Sir,” I said. I wanted to tell him that only a
coward, piss-poor-excuse-for-a-man would disrespect a woman this way. I wanted to scream in his face that only fools like him would turn an official visit as an opportunity to browbeat a woman into sex. Another woman might cower, but I am not another woman. I am Joy. If I ever wanted to engage into an affair with you, I would, not because I was forced into it, but because I wanted it. But I quietly stood, patted down my dress and said: “Thank you and have a nice day, Sir.” I got to our office and told my supervisor, the good man, Kelvin Peter, of my challenges. He did the best thing for us – the marketers. He introduced to us the concept of ‘Team Marketing’. He made us confident. He thought us that women should be shown respect not because they should be pitied, but because they are Human Beings, too. I wish other women were lucky, but it is sad that this modern day slavery is still practiced!
14 AFRICAWORLD APRIL 1-15 2013
columN
ANC IRELAND ancireland@yahoo.com
The end of white minority rule in 1994 was a fundamental achievement; a strategic task of the National Democratic Revolution but it was not the end of the Revolution. There is more to be done in terms of dealing with the legacy of many years of colonialism and apartheid rule. As the children of the revolution enjoy their right to travel the world and acquire citizenship of other countries like Ireland, the revolutionary movement should make efforts to reach them. As the children of the revolution travel the world, they too should not forget the revolution, they must make efforts to ďŹ nd the revolutionary movement. We should not forget that forces defeated by the new political order since 1994 have not gone home to sleep. The ANC also has to wake up to the call that a typical South African is well travelled and getting sophisticated. We need to take our African agenda seriously. We need to treat our African brothers and sisters with the respect that humanity deserve. We also need to encourage them to be patriots of their countries of origin. When they acquire South African citizenship, we need to embrace them and require of them to be true patriots of our beloved country. We need to show the world how proud we are to be South Africans.
APRIL 1-15 2013
oPINIoN
AFRICAWORLD 15
DIMKPA UGO BERE N’ORJI: The Giant Iroko-Chinua Achebe (1930-2013) By Mazi Uche Azukaoma Osakwe
To speak of African literature in western languages is not only meaningless but also part of the plot of western imperialism to hold Africa in eternal repression. That changed when Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart (1958) graced the stage. Before Achebe’s emergence on the international stage, western literature was pre-eminent and universal. African and Asian literature were not considered or recognised as meeting the so-called universal standard. Western literature set the rules, defined the standard and constructed meaning, giving it to others as reality. Others were seen as primitive, heathen and evil. Western writers write about other peoples’ history and culture as if they are insiders. Sometimes their narratives are metaphorically elevated as truth and universal, as if universality were some distant bend in the road which you may take if you travel out far enough in the direction of Europe or America. Achebe questioned the so-called universality of western literature against other cultures. For Achebe, the word universal should have been banned altogether from discussions of African literature until such time as people cease to use it as a synonym for the narrow, selfserving parochialism of Europe, until their horizon extends to include the whole world. Today, African literature can stand toe-to-toe with, and in the same wavelength as, western literature. In light of Achebe’s opposition to western imposition, distortion and misinformation, it is no wonder that the Nobel Prize for Literature eluded him. Although the world acclaimed him as a superlative and distinguished novelist, if he had spoken the language of the Europeans, he would have been a Nobel recipient. Let’s hope that he will be given a posthumous award now that he has joined his ancestors. That’s the only way to celebrate the eagle that perched on a great Iroko tree.
Africa’s most celebrated novelist, academic, literary icon, legendary storyteller, and eminent writer Prof. Chinua Achebe is no more (19302013). He was considered to have defined a modern African literature that was truly representative of African culture and tradition. His canonical work Things Fall Apart is one of the most read and most translated of African narratives, having been translated into fifty languages. The novel highlights Africa’s superb heritage, philosophy, religion and identity. Achebe maintained that it is our responsibility to tell our own story rather than allowing outsiders to tell our story, which would result in a great disservice to our great continent because it would be laden with lies and distortions. Achebe was among the 1000 most influential figures of the 21st Century and one of the finest African thinkers and creative writers. He was also considered by some as an intellectual radical, having taken on corrupt government officers, inept leadership and i nt e r n a t i o n a l collaborators. Achebe devoted much of his life to advocacy, fighting against oppression, corruption, bad leadership and the cultural liberation of the black race. Although Achebe’s works may be controversial to some, both his admirers and detractors acknowledge his ingenuity and humility. The testaments beyond the naked truth of his verve would meet with universal agreement from observers that the big Iroko tree was a cerebral giant and quintessential colossus. The divergent views on the man of letters was in a way unavoidable, for Achebe was a man of many contradictions. For instance, Things Fall Apart highlighted Africa’s rich culture, identity and religions, questioning the imposition of an alien culture as the two civilisations came head to head. Achebe questioned the stereotyping of Africans as primitive, morally impotent and perverted. He also queried European presumptions of cultural superiority. Through his literary work, he dismissed such insinuations as ignorant and uninformed. He decried the judgements of Joseph Conrad’s
book, Heart of Darkness, as the misplaced views of an ignorant writer, who presented others as nothing while hiding his own moral bankruptcy. He said no culture is superior to another culture; everything depends on the reading and understanding of a particular culture. He dismissed Joseph Conrad’s narratives of Africa as primitive and the antithesis of Europe and civilisation. Conrad wrote: “The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses than us, is not a pretty thing when you look into it too much…” To his chagrin, Eurocentric
writers, acknowledging this epistemological fallacy as a universal paradigm, this circular reasoning as valid, elevated Heart of Darkness to the canon. In the 21st Century, where racism has taken a back seat, some people still worship Joseph Conrad’s fiction as a true narrative of the African people. For Achebe, no nations can arrogate themselves as demi-gods or play big brother. He also wanted Africa to be deemphasised and removed from the modernist mentalities and methodology of European superiority. That is why Achebe and other African writers channelled their energy and talent in the
deconstruction of western so-called supremacy based on political, economic, epistemic and paradigmatic factors.
On the home front, Achebe spent much of his life addressing and preaching against injustice, corruption, nepotism, tribalism, marginalisation, insipient leadership and nairamania. His books The Trouble with Nigeria, Arrow of God, and The Man of the People criticised the failure of leadership and corruption in high places. His latest work There was A Country… examines the crisis in the polity and the endemic corruption that has made it impossible for development to take root in the continent. He also criticised the positions taken by some during the Nigeria-Biafran war as unfortunate and wondered how some educated Nigerians and the elite watched and supported the extermination of one of them, who was instrumental to making Nigeria. Honor Tracy, a journalist and a literary critic, wrote a review of Achebe’s first novel entitled “Three Cheers for Mere Anarchy”. In trying to portray Achebe in bad light, she succeeded in exposing her ignorance. Tracy said: “These bright Negro barristers … who talk so glibly about African culture, how would they like to return to wearing raffia skirts?” She continues “how would novelist Achebe like to go back to the mindless times of his grandfather instead of holding the modern job he has in broadcasting in Lagos?” But Achebe made a magisterial rejoinder to Tracy. He stated that there were three principal parts in Honor Tracy’s arguments; Africa’s ignominious past (raffia skirts), to which Europe brings the blessing of civilisation (Achebe’s modern job in Lagos), for which Africa returns
ingratitude (sceptical novels like Things Fall Apart). Achebe was not surprised at the west’s assumption of superiority: the relationship has historical parallels as we find ourselves the subject of so-called European discovery and following the encounter with colonialism became candidates for brutal conquest, subjugation, western forms of cultural and cognitive absorption. Following sustained misreading by Europeans, Africa’s alterity becomes colonially available as the ultimate negative of human value. The denial of full humanity is the negative legacy bequeathed to the people of Africa by western capitalism, domination, imperialism and neo-colonialism. All these misreadings and rereadings, the social construction of Europeans, was what Chinua Achebe, the big Iroko, was trying to deconstruct. He gave hope to Africa that Africans can do better and should not feel inferior to Europeans, but rather feel proud of who they are and their culture. He also viewed the imposition of alien languages and customs as anathema to another civilisation: “when a belligerent culture or civilisation, out of sheer arrogance and ethnocentrism, takes it upon itself to invade another culture, another civilisation”, the result is mere anarchy. The centre which held the people together can no longer hold and things begin to fall. In the final analysis, Achebe’s works were not intended to rewind history; rather, to replace borrowed western thoughts, values and policies that retard our progress and unity with a more humane African culture that is built on brotherhood, communalism and respect. African culture is unique. He cautioned Africans indoctrinated and armed against their own people through bribery, assimilation, association, divide-and-rule, brainwashing and the reward of white-cola-jobs, to trade with caution. You can never be more European than Europeans. For Achebe, the imposition of an alien culture became the source of conflict in the post-colonial state, state against state, nation against nation. Unless the people of Africa collectively address these myriad problems, Africa will continue to remain a hanger-on and dumping ground for western countries and the resurgent China. On this note, Achebe has written his name in gold and will be remembered as the eagle that danced on a great Iroko Tree with enchantment. Achebe lives on!
16 AFRICAWORLD APRIL 1-15 2013
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