MAY 29 INAUGURATION: INVESTING IN THE NIGERIAN CHILD

Picture credits: RNW Africa

Nigeria celebrated Children’s Day yesterday, May 27. While the country celebrates President Goodluck Jonathan's inauguration tomorrow, May 29. Asides the fact that a closely knitted family is crucial to the overall development of the child, May 27 is an important reminder of the roles these Heavenly gifts would eventually play in national development. Rightly so, children have been aptly labelled as the leaders of tomorrow. Thus, if fundamental change has to happen in any country, the country's children must be raised in the proper way to guarantee a credible future. They must be nurtured right to instill into them the right morals, virtues and leadership qualities.

When God wanted to bless a man & a woman (Abraham & Sarah), He gave a child. When He wanted to save a country (Israel), He gave a child. When He wanted to save the world, He gave a child. Children are the best gifts from God because they are products of Love, the greatest gift. Giving as an act of Love will always provoke the Blessings from Heaven

Children, no matter the circumstances surrounding their entry into the world, are God's priceless gifts to humanity. Parents, individuals, society, corporate organizations and governments must learn to constantly appreciate them and so give them a pride of place on this earth. If we must invest in the future in a country and the world, we need to invest and empower children to be the best they can be today. Building future leaders doesn't start tomorrow. It starts today.

As we celebrate another successful democratic transition on May 29, let us remember to to wholly invest in the country's future today: the Nigerian child.

God bless Nigeria.

FOR LOVE, PASSION AND FOOTBALL

NUMBER ONE FAN FOR LIFE

(A tribute to love, passion and football)


You’re worthy

Of every dime
Cos you’re priceless
Every moment with you
Is precious
Cos you’re true beauty

I’m enchanted by your grace
And mesmerising moves,
I desire to be wowed by you
Cos you’re my Arsenal
I love your strength and passion
Cos you’re my Chelsea
I would never leave you to walk alone
Cos you’re my Liverpool
I believe in you
19 x 999 times over.

You make my dreams come true

Cos you’re my Man U

I would stay fiercely loyal to you
I won’t trade places with another
Cos you’re my Real Madrid
My classy, number one Galactico
You’re more than my woman
You’re my passion, my inspiration
Cos you’re my Barcelona
You’re my love, my life
My pride
My heartbeat.

Even if you’re West Ham
Enyimba or Shooting Stars
I will catch you when you fall
I fall and rise with you
We fall and rise together
I die and live with you
We live and die together
I breathe with you
I breathe for you
We breathe together

I die with you
I lose with you
I win with you
I live with you
I cry with you
I laugh with you
I will fight for you
In season and out of season
Together we would go
Through the weather
I will love you forever

For me
You'll always be a winner.

I would be your number one cheerleader
I will cheer you up when you’re down
I will cheer you up from the stands
I will inspire you
To inspire me
Together we would mesmerize the world
With your divine gift
And amazing qualities

I will play with you in the field
Through your pains and gains
I will stick with you
In the mud and rain

I will hold you close
I will keep you warm
I will never let you go
I will walk with you
I will fly with you.
I will glide with you.

I would help you to be your very best
I will be your coach, your best critic,
I will be your therapist,
I will be your passionate fan
I will be your teammate
I will be your lover,
I will be your best friend;

I will help you
To win games,
To be the very best
I will help you
Through everything.

For me
You’re more than just another sport.

You’re the blood
That courses through my veins
You're my eternal adrenaline
You give me the energy
To take on the world & win
You're my unbridled passion
My glory

Just be my Special One
And I promise to win you
Unending trophies

Nothing else would do

But all of you

Cos I’m your number one fan
For life.

© Arukaino Umukoro

(Full version first performed at TARUWA001, which held at Bogobiri, Ikoyi, Lagos on May 17, 2011)

TOGO BEAT NIGERIA TO CLINCH WAFU CUP

Togolese joy. Picture courtesy supersport.com

The Hawks of Togo defeated the defending champions Super Eagles of Nigeria 3-2 in a pulsating final to clinch the 2011 WAFU Cup played at the M.K.O Abiola international stadium, Abeokuta, Ogun state, Nigeria on Saturday. 

The match, which pitted ex-Eagles internationals Samson Siasia and Stephen Keshi on opposing teams, was a good display for home-based African players. Newly appointed Togo coach Keshi had also lost the Eagles coaching job to his former teammate last year.

Togo stunned the defending champions with a beautifully worked goal in the third minute through Lalawele Atakora. Dove Sename Wome doubled the lead in the 22 minute. This forced Siasia to spend most of the remaining part of the match on the touchline as he shouted instructions to his Eagles team which looked dazed by the two quick strikes from the Hawks.

It may have spurred the Eagles as they clawed their way back into the match in the 27^th minute when a flowing move led to a goal scored by Bartholomew Ibenegbu. The Eagles were reduced to ten men in the 34^th minute after Soriola Gege was given his marching orders for a reckless tackle on a Togolese player to put the Eagles team in jeopardy. However, their determination paid off in the 45^th minute when Ekigho Ehiosun was brought down in the Togolese box and the referee awarded a penalty which Ibenegbu coolly slotted home. The lifeline didn’t last long as Togo’s Atakora snatched another goal with virtually the last kick of the first half stoppage time to leave Siasia’s team ruing their missed chances.

Despite a horde of chances for both teams in the second half, as well as a red card for a Togolese player, the score remained 3-2. It would have gone into extra time when an Eagles player hit the bar in the 90^th minute. However, Togo held on to clinch a well-deserved first WAFU Cup trophy.

FELA INFLUENCE BEYONCE'S NEW ALBUM

Thanks to the creativity, determination and hardwork of her musical acts, enterpreneurs and many other people involved in the industry, Nigerian music has gained more international prominence over the years. Without a doubt, Afrobeat pioneer and legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti stands out. And many years after his death, Fela certainly lives on, through his music.

In a recent interview with Billboard, American singer, Beyoncé' Knowles revealed that the initial inspiration for her new album came from the Nigerian music legend. "I recorded more than 60 songs: everything I ever wanted to try, I just did it. I started off being inspired by Fela Kuti. I actually worked with the band from Fela! (the Broadway musical based on his life) for a couple of days ... what I learned most from Fela was artistic freedom: he just felt spirit," said Beyoncé, whose new album would be titled 4. The US R & B singer has already debuted the first single from 4, Run the World (Girls), and is expected to premiere the video soon.

While no official release date has been announced, Beyonce noted that the inspiration for the album title came from her fans using the number as shorthand. "Everywhere I look, I see them calling it 4. I had a whole other name and concept, but I keep seeing that the fans love the name 4. I think it would be a really nice thing to let them name the record," she said, while adding that the number also has a personal significance for her. "We all have special numbers in our lives, and 4 is that for me. It's the day I was born. My mother's birthday, and a lot of my friends' birthdays are on the fourth – 4 April is my wedding date," she said.

By the way, Beyoncé's husband, Jay-Z, was a co-producer of the Fela Kuti musical. And don't be surpried if you hear Mo'hits  'Don Jazzy' signature on one or some of her beats!