On The Ice Bucket Challenge

I had become interested in ALS. The popular Ice Bucket Challenge had awakened my curiosity.

I had first seen Lionel Messi get doused with a bucket of ice-cold water, and wasn't completely aware of the relevance. As one of the people who often wondered why he showed no likelihood or willingness to take off his top in the usual post-match jersey exchange (something I attributed to his reserved nature), my only interest was peeping at an off-the-pitch Lionel Messi with fewer clothes on.

Clothed in fitted red sleeveless polo and black briefs, and dripping wet, I must say he was one eye candy, in a sexy way at that. I had gotten more curious afterwards, and gone on to look up "shirtless leo messi", and it turns out the young man isn't totally shy to bare it almost all. I was impressed with my findings.

Next was Shanel Cooper Sykes. Apparently, someone had nominated her to take on the challenge, and she had gone on to nominate yet more individuals to do same. Roger Federer was next, then Oprah and so on. At this point, I concluded it was an obodo oyibo (Western) thing, until our very own Genevieve Nnaji, Don Jazzy, P Square, Iyanya and others joined the bandwagon, and unfortunately, got blasted for it.

Quite ignorantly, Charles Nova, Yvonne Nelson and Joselyn Dumas had taken to twitter to dictate what awareness/cause our indigenous celebrities should be embarking upon, and according to them, it should be focused on issues more necessary and proximate to us Nigerians and Africans, say malaria, cholera and Ebola virus. Sadly, this handful of people represents many more who know next to nothing about the fatality of ALS.

According to the ALS Association, “model is to find people who are passionate about a cause and then ask for donations or to educate people (like Charles, Yvonne and Joselyn) and then seek out donations. (The ice bucket challenge is) something that’s fun that people can do ... people are taking part in it and then taking the info and donating.” Basically, the dousing and/or donation further the Association's mission to find a cure and awareness for ALS while funding the highest quality of care for people living with the disease.

About ALS in a flash:

• ALS, acronym for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease is an advancing, fatal disease of the motor nerve cells that control the skeletal muscles of the body.

• In this case, the muscles lose their nerve supply and waste away, resulting in weakening and paralysis.

•  ALS affects about 60,000 people WORLDWIDE, affects more males than females within the age range of 20 and 90.

•  ALS patients lose control of their entire nervous system, become unable to eat or speak audibly, produce excessive saliva and drool, may laugh or cry uncontrollably and experience difficulty breathing. 

• Eventually, when the diaphragm muscles become to degenerated to perform their normal functions, death usually results from respiratory failure.

• Contrary to  critics' opinion, I dare say it is possible some Africans had in the past died or presently suffer from this disease unknowing to them and medical practitioners.

• There is no cure yet for ALS. 

Like the Ebola Virus, here's another deadly disease that deserves all the global attention it's generated, whether the participants did it genuinely or for the fame. The cruel, apathetic and foolish thing would be people like Charles/Yvonne/Joselyn underplaying the severity of this disease and undermining their colleagues' involvement in a campaign for a COMMON GOOD that seeks to find a cure. I don't understand what's "second-class mentality" about it, as Charles Nova accused. I wonder if he had similar opinion when America celebrities also got involved in the #bringbackourgirls campaign, when they were miles disconnected from our plight.

For what it's worth, Genevieve, Don Jazzy, et al did more good than them bitching about it on the internet just to score two minutes of fame, if not, I wouldn't know who Charles and Joselyn looked like or what Yvonne ever wrote on her twitter handle. Otherwise, why else would they think they had valid points, especially when none of them spearheaded anything charitable or patriotic for their countries/continents? 

The same way the world rallied around us (for whatever reasons) during the #bringbackourgirls campaign, and still do in the current Ebola epidemic, I also endorse the #icebucketcampaign.

People like Charles, Yvonne and Josyln need to know that apathy to other people's problems because they aren't their problems is worse. ALS doesn't have to affect them directly before they deem it relevant to show compassion to its victims.

Kudos to thoughtful Genevieve Nnaji, Don Jazzy, P Square, Iyanya, Davido, and every other Naija celebrity who were belittled by some small people for taking part in a noble cause.

I like.

Climate Change: The Loose Policy Of Nigerian Government-- Emeka K. Ezemenaka

In the era of clamor for human security, climate change which is an important factor for human security through environment has been given little attention in Nigeria.  There is no gain saying that, the government have put in policies or have programs running in Nigeria in mitigating climate change effect, when there are lots of loop holes with the strategy adopted. As a matter of fact, the policies adopted for climate change in Nigeria if there is any, is permeable. However, the malignant effect of these actions is tantamount to environmental conflicts affecting the societies which pave way for other protracted problems and conflict within the country. 

Climate change is real and cannot be overemphasized. Though, these changes can be managed and worked on, but where the problem lies with the changes of climate is when there are no concrete measures to address it. The effect of climate change is a global phenomenon and this is why it is a salient issue that needs to be addressed by everyone. Global flaring and venting of petroleum–associated gas is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions and airborne contaminants that has proven difficult to mitigate over the years, (Aniefiok E. Ite and Udo J. ibok 2013). Without reservation, the petroleum industry in Nigeria, Africa is the largest industry and main generator of GDP in the continent's most populous nation. Nigeria is a country that plays a major role in Africa and in the world based on its natural resources ranging from Crude Oil, Natural Gas and Coal production amongst others, yet the measures adopted to clean up the mess of human effect on environment through industrialization becomes a major problem. Examples of industrialization effect which distort the ecosystem and in turn affect the climate of Nigeria is seen at the Crude Oil spillage in the Niger Delta regions in Nigeria and Gas flaring. The resultant effect of the problems caused by Oil spillage which adversely affects the climate, environment and livelihood of societies can be seen at Bayelsa and Delta communities where crude oil is produced at larger quantities. 

Schmoozing about Gas flaring which has a direct contact to the atmosphere that comprises of climate configuration, since the production of Natural gas in Nigeria in 1999, the gas is been flared continuously to the atmosphere unabated till now. Nevertheless, the majority of Nigeria's natural gas is flared off and it’s estimated that Nigeria loses 18.2 million US$ daily from the loss of the flared gas. According to Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (2014), Nigeria still flares about 40% of the natural gas it produces, while official Nigerian policy is to end gas flaring completely by 2008. The World Bank estimates that Nigeria accounts for 12.5% of the world's total gas flaring and Shell estimates that about half of the 2 Bcf/d of associated gas -gaseous by-products of oil extraction is flared in Nigeria annually. The aforementioned statistics shows how climate is destroyed and forced to change its course austerely.

However, Francis Idowu Ibitoye (2014) findings on additional projects aimed at ending gas flaring activities being planned while some are at various stages of completion by government shows that existing infrastructure will not be sufficient to end gas flaring in the country. The implementation of firm planned projects in the second scenario will only reduce gas flaring to about 10% in 2040. The third scenario of additional projects ensures total elimination of gas flaring. The last two scenarios indicate that 2018 is the year when significant reduction in gas flaring can be achieved in Nigeria. Results also indicate that beyond the firm planned projects in the second scenario, proper timing and sizing of additional projects will be very critical in order to minimize stress on non-associated gas reserves. Furthermore, Aniefiok E. Ite and Udo J. ibok (2013) noted that, over the past fifty years, gas flaring and venting associated with petroleum exploration and production in the Nigeria’s Niger Delta has continue to generate complex consequences in terms of energy, human health, natural environment, socio–economic environment and sustainable development. From an operational perspective, some 45.8 billion kilowatts of heat are discharged into the atmosphere of the Niger Delta from combustion of 1.8 billion cubic feet of gas every day. (Agbola, T., and T. Olurin, 2003). This process affects the atmosphere which have several consequences on the regional and global environment leading to greenhouse effect, increase in temperature or thermal gradient which causes global warming, human health problems, poor agricultural yields, acid rain or acidification of aquatic environment and alteration of ecosystem. 

Emphasis on the effect of human activities on climate change cannot be overemphasized but allowing the problems of climate change to overwhelm us as humans is the choice we make. Nigerian government is fond of acting after envisaged problems/disaster rather than employing preventive measures or control. There are several options and ways to tackle climate changes which are rooted in the policies meted out by the government. At this point, it is a clear indication that the Nigerian government needs to do more in the fight against climate change and should rise up to their duties as leaders. Those in government power and who call the shots were elected for the common good of the polity and not to enrich their pockets while allowing situations or trends such as climate change go awry before acting.  Most importantly, climate change is a joint effort from everyone starting from the domestic to the industrial activities. Thus, this is a wakeup call for everyone and all hands must be on deck to address the issue of climate change. As entry point or guide in addressing the problems of climate change, the government can start by discouraging harmful practices and usage of product that destroy the climate with punitive measures.

References

Agbola, T., and T. Olurin, (2003) “Landuse and Landcover Change in the Niger Delta,” Excerpts from a Research Report presented to the Centre for Democracy and Development.

Aniefiok E. Ite and Udo J. ibok (2013). Gas Flaring and Venting Associated with Petroleum Exploration and Production in the Ngieria's Niger Delta. American Journal of Environmental Protection, pp 70-77.

Francis Idowu Ibitoye (2014). Ending Natural Gas Flaring in Nigeria's Oil Fields. Journal of Sustainable Development   ISSN 1913-9063 (Print)   ISSN 1913-9071 (Online)

NNPC (2014). Development of Nigeria’s oil industry http://www.nnpcgroup.com/nnpcbusiness/businessinformation/oilgasinnigeria/developmentoftheindustry.aspx

You Have To Read To Get The Gist

I felt lucky to have finally found hand sanitizer at a pharmaceutical mall.

I had gone around all major shopping malls that I knew of within Enugu city in vain search of the latest rare fluid.

Apparently, it's become like hotcakes, and sold off even before they got the chance to sit on the shelves, such that my once accessible must-have item has become hard to find.

"We just sold out the last one", or "we're out of stuck" were the two likely replies I normally received from somewhat enthusiastic shop assistants, not sure at first what the triumphal air around them was  about, but certainly annoyed by their expressions of deep-rooted self-importance, which often struck as unresponsive and selfish.

In a particular mall, I guessed they had created a form of entertainment, a gamble probably, to cope with their state of boredom. Their unified exchange of knowing smiles after I had enquired about hand sanitizer reeked of victorious whispers of "I KNEW IT"! Why else would the Antiseptic section be their hang out spot every time?

I mean Ebola is probably the deadliest virus, scary enough to make me give up my sumptuous street food--

Oka ahul'ahu n'ube (roasted corn and local pear)

It is not funny!!!

Perhaps, my frustration was the least of their problems.

Anyway, I greedily rounded up many bottles of Purell displayed on the cashier's desk, a bottle for each person that I wished to put a smile on his or her face. Funnily enough I had come in to buy something else.

P.S. You may want to know that a bottle of hand sanitizer is the best gift you can give to anyone now.

Quite similar to the shop assistants that I encountered in the other malls, this one also appeared amused and eager, but patient enough to wait till I finished my compilations and moved closer to the cash box. "N650 for each bottle", she said, casting a probing look at me, trying to weigh my reaction maybe. As a Nigerian, who lived all her life in a society where shrewd dealers used unfortunate situations to milk on others, I couldn't say I was surprised. However, more than 100% increase was shocking to me. Before Sawyer's unpopular footprints, I bought same 59ml bottle of Purell for N300.

Of course, I paid for the much that I gathered, but disappointed at some people's cruelty. "What if I couldn't afford the new price"? "How about poor Nigerians who can't live up to N650 a day, but still need to guard themselves against Ebola"? "Where is your patriotism"? I ranted more about how our inhumane, selfish, greedy and corrupt tendencies thwart our advancement.

One of them went economic with the "higher the demand, the higher the price" theory, which normally made some sense, considering a possible increase in the cost of production, in which case a slight reasonable inflation was understandable. Still I didn't buy into his reasons, because I just couldn't get past the "Not For Retail Sale"inscription on the bottle. Something's gotta be wrong somewhere. But that wasn't even the issue.

The other shop attendant on the cash register made the most stupid comment which I had heard a million times from other people, often guilty or called out for either flinging a wrap of rubbish through the car window or peeing by the roadside or presenting the wrong date of birth or slipping a N50 note into a policeman's hands, and a host of other evil deeds. "This is Nigeria", she said. I felt the need to yank off my arm just to have something to throw at her. Instead, I said to her, "It's better if you didn't speak at all". She let off a guilty laugh, but I wasn't amused.

Rather, I came up with an idea to run series, ("I Pledge To Nigeria") on this blog that I hope will change thousands who are like-minded Nigeria who think Nigeria is a junkyard. That change begins with me-- my mindset.

Meanwhile, I wish to introduce you to a friend of mine, who's been towing same line of positive change. My next post is authored by him and titled "Climate Change: Loose Policy of Nigerian Government". It's funny though how he never visited my blog before but now needs me to publish his article.

I hope you've been great.

Remember-- stay Ebola free, always wash your hands with soap and water, avoid body contact (not even sure how that is possible in our society), keep your environment clean, take your own clipper, comb, towel, ear plugs to the salon with you, NO to bush meat. Add salt when you wash veggies and fruits, not in your bathing or drinking water. More information one click away here.

God will see us through.