tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86500773256609590132011-11-27T16:31:21.459-08:00The aim is to rediscover Africa(mainly the subsaharan region) in all its joys and pains and to, in the process, learn about ourselves as a single unit and not as divided segments in the vast continent that is our motherland.NoellJnoreply@blogger.comBlogger661100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-84397995334415692082009-06-21T17:04:00.000-07:002009-06-21T17:10:52.456-07:00

Scholarship Program for Boys and Girlsthat fosters creative arts in the form of painting, writing, reporting (journalism), marketing, advertising, etc. Providing scholarship opportunities including study abroad programs and the encouragement of the arts in the development of society.Creative minds are usually psychic minds are usually pioneers for societal change in the form of ideas/creative

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-63424464961205015182009-02-18T21:42:00.001-08:002009-02-18T21:45:23.571-08:00

I just wanted to use this opportunity to thank those who showed thier support by purchasing my poetry book. Thanks for putting those CRARN kids in mind with your purchase. God bless!

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-71903916132320399652009-02-18T21:34:00.000-08:002009-02-18T21:41:06.813-08:00

Found the following article on a Nigerian website. Here's an excerpt:Tonnes of toxic waste from municipal dumps in the West are being dumped illegally in countries like Nigeria and Ghana, an investigation has found. Hundreds of thousands of broken items like TVs and computers are being sold to dealers on the pretext of re-use. Under EU law, such household appliances must be dismantled or recycled

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-40925980778008389452009-02-14T18:29:00.000-08:002009-02-14T20:33:48.306-08:00

A group of young African artists came together to sing about saving the children of Africa. The song is so powerful and the beat is tight!Here's another cool song, the price of silence, featuring Ziggy Marley, Emmanuel Jal & a bunch of other international artists. By the way Jal has been promoting his music and new movie based on his experience as a child soldier in Sudan. The movie is called

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-57223931255968560722009-02-03T12:57:00.001-08:002009-02-03T13:05:10.175-08:00

The latest news is that Muammar Gadhafi has been elected chairman of the 53 nation state of the African Union(AU). I mean, this is a self proclaimed pan-arab. This is also a man who has had a controversial relationship with the west that has lasted for decades due to his terrorist activities/associations. I have read a few sources that say he pumps money into the impoverished subsaharan region

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-90766372059063996952009-02-01T00:19:00.000-08:002009-02-01T00:23:43.621-08:00

Really cool movie about how music played a role in South Africa's liberation struggle against aparthied. Found this while playing around on youtube. :)I've always loved S.African music and culture. Mariam Makeba also appears as well...awww....she was so lovely!

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-37943860170547105822009-01-30T09:15:00.000-08:002009-01-30T09:39:20.770-08:00

The following youtube videos was very hard for me to show because the subject and situation is very painful and sad. It is the case of Children in Akwa Ibom (and some other areas in the niger delta) of Nigeria who have been condemned by some so called pastor or pastoress as witches. These children are often brought in by thier parents to the church with accusations that they are responsible for

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-86915013120206761622009-01-23T18:47:00.000-08:002009-01-23T19:00:35.152-08:00

I hope with the obamania syndrom that we can take a few moments to think about what is going on in central africa. It is my hope that the obama presidency will tackle this issue, cos quite frankly a lot of companies are currently benefiting from this conflict. This is a war that deserves more attention than is currently being given. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090120/ap_on_re_af/af_congoOn a

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-90468327856723239452008-12-23T19:49:00.001-08:002008-12-23T20:00:52.744-08:00

Interview with Wole Soyinka, Africa's literary giant and human rights activist and Ed Cayce(forgive the mispelling), photographer and journalist concerning the Niger Delta crises. Soyinka discusses how the exploitation of the Niger Delta people can be traced to the local government leading up to the Nigerian federal government at large. He also expresses his point of view on the controversial

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-39899706763756421992008-12-20T09:53:00.000-08:002008-12-21T22:51:55.192-08:00

I dream of AfricaGold dust carriedBy winds withAncient secretsAgainst my skinNubian heatDarkens my neckIn a land of legendary QueensAnd skyscrapers madeOf the same dustBeneath my sandaled feetI dream of AfricaRiding on a camel's backMe in a shawlA man in turbanHandsome as the desertMy companionIn a never endingJourney on sandI dream ofPlaces like ZanzibarA land as beautifulAs its nameWere black

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-40911025950787732762008-12-15T14:33:00.000-08:002008-12-20T21:20:33.269-08:00

Sadly, on December 1st Chevron was aquitted of the human rights violation charges brought against them. This is a recent statement from JusticeForNigeria:“The fact that Bowoto v. Chevron made it this far in the process is a victory in and of itself, because it means that we have demonstrated that there is a clear pathway in the US court system for holding corporations accountable to the rule of

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-11826067449001483762008-12-15T14:07:00.000-08:002008-12-15T14:14:03.147-08:00

of the many lives being lost every day due to an easily preventable disease. It seems to me that lack of knowledge and poverty are two of the greatest enemies in our 'fight' over the disease. I took an HIV test a few days ago, and was glad to find out I am negative. I am ashamed to say that it was the first time I took the test but have decided to do it more frequently now. It's very important

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-77085383324692976672008-11-20T08:22:00.001-08:002008-11-22T10:44:28.805-08:00

Read an article recently that reported on China's unscrupulous arms deals with conflict ridden countries like Somalia and Ethiopia. The article explains that China thought it had it easy in Africa until a recent wave of attacks by sea proved otherwise. Somalian pirates backed by politicians within the country itself have been hijacking Chinese ships. Don't need to explain the entire article here.

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-82296180071032785952008-11-10T14:09:00.000-08:002008-11-14T06:48:45.953-08:00

She was so beautiful, her face, her voice-those pure looking eyes. The distinctiveness of her vocals and her fight against aparthied made her one of Africa's most beloved songstress. She endured 30 years of exile due to her anti-aparthied activities only to be allowed permission into her country once again by the newly freed and elected freedom fighter, Nelson Mandela. Words cannot describe the

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-60639130285657126112008-11-05T09:27:00.001-08:002008-11-13T17:47:44.290-08:00

Last night the world watched as Presidential hopeful, Barrack Hussein Obama officially became the people's choice for United States President. This will be the first black man and first black woman (soon to be first lady, Michelle Obama) to occupy the most famous house in the world. I have observed people celebrate. I have seen some, mainly African americans, shed tears of joy in the media(we all

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-25057657116044712382008-10-26T08:50:00.000-07:002008-11-05T16:24:40.542-08:00

Africa is the heart of the world (I like to call it the pulse) and many watch/partake of its destruction by greedy power elites within and outside its borders. Congo is the heart of Africa, and coincidentally also happens to be a place with one of the worst human rights abuses/exploitation of natural resources anywhere. Congo, since the arrival of Leopold II has suffered immensely from one form

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-78033969215135406422008-10-09T11:40:00.000-07:002008-10-26T08:55:53.329-07:00

A scowl behind thick glasses- the words “By Any Means Necessary” -Malcom X. He was the civil rights leader of the 1960’s whose message of self defense for the black man (in the case of constant attacks of the psychological, sociological and physical type by the white majority) was interpreted by the media as “militant” and “violent” rhetoric. It is easier to understand Malcom X when you place

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-22276508921171622132008-09-30T10:32:00.000-07:002008-10-23T07:41:42.126-07:00

Caters to peoples’ spiritual, psychological and physical needs. Depending on the circumstances of the individual, certain areas are handled first before proceeding to other stages. For example, a person who has just survived a war (a refugee), natural disaster or a famine, is provided with basic necessities such as food, clothing, medicine etc. Once that individual has proven that he is

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-70339144967020869122008-09-10T10:19:00.000-07:002008-09-14T11:53:09.052-07:00

I attended the off broadway show, "Fela!" last friday. Let's just say it provided more returns for my $51 investment than expected. Some of my favorite Fela hits, including "water no get enemy," "Suffering and Smiling," and "zombie"-a sharp, gritting satire on the Nigerian terroristic-like military was played by a band that one could have sworn was sponsored by Fela himself. The show was equally

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-29814006613048714262008-08-27T10:29:00.000-07:002008-09-16T08:26:48.274-07:00

The image to the left is Ikenga, Ibo god of industry and prosperity-giver of strenght in the accomplishment of one's goals.To provide an example of basic african spirituality/mythology, I will use the Ibos. The Ibos are a major ethnic group that can be found in Nigeria, Guinea, Cameroun and other neigboring countries, as well as in the carribean and throughout the americas. Spirituality as

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-35700668404733559692008-08-20T09:49:00.000-07:002008-12-20T21:26:31.861-08:00

Well, well, well....what do we have here? finally, something is being done about the injustice being perpetuated among people in the niger delta region of Nigeria over oil. Found this on Allafrica.com.Constance IkokwuWashington, DC:Oil giant, Chevron Nigeria Limited, will stand trial in the United States (US) in September, after exhausting all appeals meant to stop the company from being tried

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-24317569833185934542008-08-19T10:35:00.000-07:002008-08-19T10:44:44.849-07:00

Cannot talk of freedom fighters without talking about Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the President of Liberia. She appeared on Oprah some months ago and her graciousness, humility and the realistic expressions of what was required to build Liberia touched me. This woman was brave to carry on this task! After decades of civil war and finally the indictment of Charles Taylor (former president and human

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-24057676917067246692008-08-15T18:45:00.000-07:002008-08-15T19:08:58.171-07:00

Do you hear the quiver?Listen intentlyIt emanates from land and riversIt’s in the cracked earthAnd unceremonious rainIt’s in the eyes that speak of shattered dreamsTo the highly sensitizedIt’s a bellowing groanFrom the depths of the bellyWhere all the memories are keptFrom the depths of the bellyWhere all the assets are storedFor the children of the sunAnd for all through whom they cameThey hate

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-2220300468041097232008-08-01T07:54:00.000-07:002008-08-01T08:24:12.769-07:00

A friend of mine sent me this informative yet disturbing article about China's imperial agenda for Africa. When will the exploitation end? I guess when Africa's children stand up to say "enough is enough" cos if we don't do it, who will?By Andrew MaloneJune 5, 1873, in a letter to The Times, Sir Francis Galton, thecousin of Charles Darwin and a distinguished African explorer in hisown right,

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-90578248998268715992008-07-23T18:55:00.000-07:002008-07-23T19:03:43.796-07:00

Sudan's president Omar Hassan Al Bashir had the audacity to display himself in a jolly manner in front of a cheering crowd after being indicted by the International court for genocide. What crowd allows this to happen? Are people that fearful, that mentally enslaved to put up with such blatant disregard for human life? What can he possibly be trying to prove now? How can there be peace in Darfur

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-28226837669172465892008-07-20T13:14:00.000-07:002008-07-23T19:20:40.547-07:00

We are waiting forThe healing winds of peace In places ravaged by warWe are waiting for the impersonal groans Of mother earth to ceaseHer abundant provisions To no longer be a thing Worth dying but living forWe are waiting forTrue leaders to emergeIn places were minds are held hostage by terrorFor leaders to be servantsUpholding a sacred missionWe are awaiting a revolutionNot of guns and

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-43544293707888383242008-07-16T22:39:00.000-07:002008-07-16T22:54:42.344-07:00

Seun Kuti, son of Afrobeat pioneer and human rights activist, Fela Kuti has decided to continue where his father left off. His music, just like his father, is dedicated to Africa's problems. I had the wonderful experience of watching him in concert on July 6th at central park, nyc and it was incredible! Here is a clip of him in Dakar singing one of the hits of his first album. The track is called

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-47385860140632644362008-07-07T16:54:00.000-07:002008-11-17T10:41:09.606-08:00

We were the children of Ra /living breathing temples that housed the god-man/the true man now subjugated/reduced to ashes we've become the outskirts/barely making it in-land our accomplishments stolen robbed of its brown skin prints /given a new name We were the children of Asis_Chukwu_Sango_ dancing to the tempo of spirit within us and all things until categorized by the categorizers with no

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-82463345822603239632008-07-05T20:01:00.000-07:002008-07-07T17:19:08.025-07:00

Human rights activist and musical pioneer, Fela Kuti, will be celebrated on broadway this fall. I'm excited to see descendants of Africa in America celebrating this man that meant so much to Africa and its struggle for justice, equality and basic human rights. I encourage everyone to check it out. I look forward to it myself!

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-79159206686075187152008-07-05T18:36:00.000-07:002008-07-08T18:23:34.443-07:00

The 1960’s saw a wave of hope for the African continent with the insurgence of independent states. One man in particular came to embody Africa’s liberation from its colonial past. His name was Kwame Nkrumeh, and he became the face of the Pan Africa movement. Kwame Nkrumeh was Ghana’s first head of state, securing Ghana’s independence from British rule in 1957. His “victory” over what he

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-5127695482992319362008-06-24T17:11:00.000-07:002008-06-30T17:07:29.767-07:00

Omu Of Asaba: Have to Start with Granny. She may not be an ancient queen but she's definitely a modern one. Now to the ancients...Queen Nefertiti: She was the wife of Akhenaton, the King credited with the concept of one God as practiced in most societies today. She resisted the cultural change emerging in kemet at the time that gave women lower status than men by openly performing religious

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-33784306212340583632008-06-21T08:39:00.000-07:002008-10-23T07:47:45.413-07:00

The following article (excerpt) is by Harriet Washington author of "Medical Aparthied: The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Times to Present" : ...But to many Africans, the accusations, which have been validated by a guilty verdict and a promise to reimburse the families of the infected children with a $426 million payout, seem perfectly plausible. The

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-68180209980580384152008-06-17T04:42:00.000-07:002008-06-23T20:10:09.686-07:00

Do not judge those who fight backpick up the sword of steel, iron & blazing truthWho advocate righteous wrath towardsthe destroyers of the sacredWasn't it Jesus who cleared the templewith a whip at those who dare exploitthe people's longing for redemption?Check out Mattew chapter 10 verse 34I did not come to bring peace but a swordthe master saidNot everyone can be still in the sight of blatant

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-47368870049596913002008-06-14T09:01:00.001-07:002008-06-21T09:11:26.073-07:00

Medical Experimentation on minorities, the poor and disenfranchized does not come as a shock to most people these days. And Africa as a target for experimentation is not only common but sadly to be expected. The continent holds a significantly high percentage of poverty stricken, disease ridden people in comparison to the rest of the world. And with the prevalence of HIV in many areas of Africa,

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-52733050399848382422008-06-11T18:34:00.000-07:002008-11-17T10:43:02.413-08:00

Dedicated to Ken Saro Wiwa Human\Environmental Activist And Others Like Him Executed For The Cause.He spokeSaid they deserved betterThey mobilizedChanted slogansOf freedomEqualityJusticeBasic type things…Their landWas being pillagedFor black goldA curse for the plenty of black folk...That fed the nationsEmpowered governmentsDestroyed livesOf the weakIt tore away the landMade oil flow between

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-73966507428960018422008-06-07T19:09:00.000-07:002008-06-07T19:26:07.068-07:00

From pbs.org: Home to half of the continent's animal species, Africa's vast rainforests are falling silent. Deforestation, road construction and slash-and-burn farming have already wiped out roughly 90 percent of the West Africa's rainforests. Now, the rainforests of Central Africa's Congo Basin, the second largest in the world after the Amazon, have come under the axe, too.For centuries, only

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-87178733318481381322008-06-07T16:15:00.000-07:002008-06-07T16:21:54.035-07:00

Found this article on africaaction.org:In my line of work there is a well-worn maxim which holds that the media do not tell us what to think; they only tell us what to think about. By that measure, it is hardly surprising that so few Americans ever think about Africa at all. And when they do, the images that come to mind are not of a vast and varied continent – the world’s second largest, home to

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-53333097889452608842008-06-04T05:13:00.000-07:002008-11-17T10:44:19.008-08:00

Heroes are bornIn times like theseVoices become swingsAt the enemyThe road to perditionWas the soundtrack of their livesReduced to microscopic significanceDue to neglect by the massesNeglect to objectAt the subtle signs of oppressionFirst emerging from the collective mindThen trickling down to performancesIt takes a whileEven as one person is extinguishedA dozen- a score-a hundredPerhaps

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-43213068756051170642008-06-03T17:56:00.000-07:002008-11-17T10:46:16.568-08:00

He said I was flySwingin’ hipsSeveral shades away from standard type skin-exoticreminded him of wild remote placesdidn’t mention it but I assumedit came with juicy fruits, heightened tropicanathought I was a good dancereven before learning my namesaid rhythm was in my bloodburied beneath my veinsdeeper than my self-awareness Must admitI love the sound of drumsIt’s primodial qualityIt’s heightened

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-45016227351599073402008-05-28T15:58:00.000-07:002008-06-03T17:55:54.691-07:00

This poem was inspired by Harriet Washington's book "Medical aparthied: The dark history of medical experimentation on black Americans from colonial times to the present". For more information on abusive medical experimentation on minorities currently taking place in NYC's foster care system, visit. http://www.guineapigkids.com/ guinea pigsthought they wassomeone'schildbrothersistermuseguinea

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-15313086869383836502008-05-26T18:46:00.000-07:002008-11-15T04:40:43.965-08:00

The African festival hosted by Brooklyn Academy of Music was held on memorial day weekend. I was able to attend the Bazaar which aims to replicate the typical african market place. The event showcased artwork, fashion, literature, music, etc from African, afro-carribean and african american cultures. I had a blast celebrating the beauty of our wonderful culture and heritage and understanding even

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-39409649351840706792008-05-24T15:04:00.000-07:002008-05-28T16:37:51.990-07:00

This video shows the wonderful work that volunteers are doing in Africa to provide medication for malaria and river blindness in thier communities. Africans cannot afford to always depend on outsiders for help. Assisting each other is the only way we can uplift ourselves and our continent on a longlasting/permanent basis.

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-14996464702609891062008-05-23T16:47:00.000-07:002008-11-15T04:40:45.164-08:00

A darfur rally was held in front of the U.S mission to the United Nations on May 23rd 2008. The event was organized by Africa Action, African Services Committee, American Jewish World Service, Armenian National Committee of America, Chadian Association of North America, darfur intervention network and many others. There were also speakers from secular and non-secular backgrounds. For a list of

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-48923846781894349612008-05-20T16:43:00.000-07:002008-05-27T17:44:01.642-07:00

They falling! falling! falling!high and mighty men, they fallingall over the worldby the weight of accumulated karmaThe cries of the proletariat have been answeredthe sweat of their browsthe bitterness of their sighsthe death of their children from man made diseases and warthese shall be accounted and spoken for!It's the second coming and messiahs are being born outnumbering execution stands,

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-19034895592292674602008-05-17T17:47:00.000-07:002008-05-17T18:53:19.323-07:00

Found these quotes on africaaction.org."Years from now people will ask about AIDS in Africa — as with the Holocaust or the Rwandan genocide — ‘How could the world have known — and failed to act?’" Africa Action"I have to say that the ongoing plight of Africa forces me to perpetual rage. It's all so unnecessary, so crazy that hundreds of millions of people should be thus abandoned." Former UN

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-49657758880929275422008-05-14T17:49:00.000-07:002008-05-17T18:23:42.324-07:00

Derived the following from genocideintervention.org :To prevent genocide from continuing to occur in thetwenty-first century, we have a responsibility toprotect civilians who are being victimized bycountries unwilling or unable to halt ongoingatrocities.Samantha Power, in 'A Problem from Hell': America andthe Age of Genocide, highlights five examples ofgenocide in the past:·Armenia: More than

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-41671676780195461262008-05-11T09:58:00.000-07:002008-05-11T10:01:00.536-07:00

One of my favorite songs and videos from Michael Jackson.

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-40900780291807173772008-05-05T18:56:00.000-07:002008-05-07T21:57:24.857-07:00

Never again. That's what many said after the Holocaust in which 6 million jews were exterminated in WWII. After those horrors ended there was Bosnia, Rwanda and now Darfur. And some time between the jewish holocaust and Bosnia events, a genocide which is considered to be the first to occur in Africa was perpetuated against the Ibos of Nigeria. This led to a civil war that endured from 1967-1970.

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-13105511053764735062008-05-02T21:35:00.000-07:002008-05-04T16:14:27.496-07:00

The Zambezi river is the fourth largest river in Africa after the Nile, Niger and Congo rivers. The seven major rivers in Africa are: Nile, Niger, Senegal, Congo, Orange, Limpopo and Zambezi. Water is an extremely imperative resource for survival and therefore serious efforts should be made to preserve its purity.According to the Nature Conservancy more than 42 million people and diverse wildlife

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-88748902515583989122008-04-29T17:22:00.000-07:002008-11-15T04:40:45.471-08:00

Africa I recollectSwirling, dry winds in harmattanPlaying ten-ten in dusty playgroundsThrowing stones to pull down mangos behind fencesEscaping with the trail of neighbors' curses.Dancing atilogu at recessPulling grass stems, making fanson hot days filled with charcoal smokefilling our nostrilsmaking us hungry for corn and ubeTelling tales by moonlightChanting: "rain, rain go away"on days of

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-18812987185575081622008-04-29T05:57:00.000-07:002008-11-13T19:46:31.945-08:00

A long time agoin a land far, far awayI arose to distant hillsin trasculent shades of blueIn the backdropBlack birds soaredflapping thier wings to the rythm of thier coosThey spread gossip about other townsGrandma heard, nodded and suddenly went:"okay!"I only got the part about EmekukuWhat happened at Emekuku?Grandma's lips were sealedIt was older people's businessI long for the days when birds

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-12502976462464285662008-04-27T12:17:00.000-07:002008-04-27T13:27:14.666-07:00

For the past 50+ years, oil spills occuring in the Niger delta region of Nigeria have led to pollution, unemployment, health hazard situations and other calamities. This has resulted in a wave of oil company employee kidnappings by local youth demanding a peice of the pie after decades of exploitation that has left many citizens destitute. The western media reports these kidnappings with little

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-56039389949816471272008-04-27T08:01:00.000-07:002008-04-27T09:55:01.990-07:00

Read an article recently that mentioned briefly, the environmentally insensitive copper mining activities occuring in Zambia by Chinese multi-nationals. The Chinese are not the only guilty party. Countries in the west are also guilty. Further curiosity on the issue led me to three organizations(Action For Southern Africa, Christian Aid and Scotland's Aid Agency) who decided to do some research on

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-78659621509476913732008-04-20T07:51:00.000-07:002008-04-20T17:29:20.738-07:00

I remember reading Flora Nwapa's novel, Efuru, at age 11 and being enthralled by the beautiful, financially independent female protagonist who suffers many tragic events. Efuru had it all except it seems, the inability to keep a man and to raise a child. The only child she had died at infancy.It wasn't so much the tragedy that seemed to surround her that fascinated me, it was her strong spirit

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-73716686338761417682008-04-17T17:28:00.000-07:002008-04-17T17:36:01.185-07:00

For those who follow African politics the issue of Zimbabwe's elections and the no results aftermath has raised criticism from people all over the world who feel that other African nations especially the African Union (AU) ought to be doing something to pressure Mugabe to step down from office. It is obvious he lost that election but he still refuses to let go of power after 28 years in a

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-36039872880027059252008-04-17T16:18:00.000-07:002008-04-17T17:22:01.793-07:00

There have been countless articles these days on the supposed food shortage going on around the world. A sample article can be found here: http://www.baltimorechronicle.com/2008/041608Brown.shtmlAnd with the grim news comes grimmer statistics and predictions of more doom. According to the article the food crises has sparked riots in Haiti, Egypt, Morocco, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Mexico, Phillipines

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-40424538942438693002008-04-16T20:58:00.000-07:002008-04-20T08:29:55.561-07:00

Africa is the most beautiful continent in the world! At least that's what I've heard from so many people who've been there and enjoyed the landscapes, wildlife, blend of western imports and traditions and of course, the friendly, spirited, strong-willed people. And I am very inclined to agree. Africa has everything to offer and that is no understatement. The fact that it is the second largest

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-49271278455281072542008-04-16T20:21:00.000-07:002008-04-16T20:55:33.029-07:00

Yes, there is a World Malaria Day and it is hosted on April 25th. Even though malaria is easily preventable and treatable still, a million people die annually from the disease. Children are the most affected casualties. Growing up in Nigeria, I experienced a few bounts of malaria. Being accustomed to the illness and knowing many people who suffered from it and recovered created the impression in

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-53546530511113842232008-04-11T16:22:00.000-07:002008-04-11T17:56:46.237-07:00

Kwame Nkrumah is considered by many to be the face of the pan african movement. He was born in Ghana (then the gold coast) in 1909. In 1945 while furthering his studies in England, he helped organize the pan-african congress. He returned to Ghana and formed the Congression People's Party otherwise known as CPP. He was jailed after his positive action campaign was cited as a disturbance. He was

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-4052988365459301362008-04-11T12:35:00.000-07:002008-04-11T14:35:17.388-07:00

Bob Marley was born in 1945 in Jamaica. He was a raggae singer, songwriter and activist who spread the message of love, redemption and unity for people of African descent. He also preached love and tolerance for all humanity with the hit song, "one love" being an example. He became very popular in the 70's until his death in 1981 of cancer. He was only 36 years old. Bob Marley is especially

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-47490596515742254192008-04-10T18:46:00.000-07:002008-04-11T14:47:52.627-07:00

In Uganda thousands of people have been killed and more than a million people displaced from thier homes in a war that has lasted for more than two decades. The war is between the Lord Resistance Army and the Ugandan government. The war began as a result of a group of people from the north who felt they were exploited by another group of people who reside in the south. This sentiment was

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-52301896339412552112008-04-09T18:54:00.000-07:002008-11-05T16:23:38.216-08:00

Even though I consider myself a citizen of the world, I have a special affinity towards Africa as my homeland. When looking for a sentence to describe Africa, I consider WEB Dubois's words: "Africa is at once the most romantic and most tragic of continents." Africa boasts the best wildlife, landscapes and incredibly spirited people than any place I can think of...yet wars, diseases,economic

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-60878552560199967742008-04-09T18:28:00.000-07:002008-11-15T04:40:46.082-08:00

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-6200485623887385932008-04-08T20:04:00.000-07:002008-04-10T19:43:08.387-07:00

Chiisim otherwise known as Godianism is a movement that aims to express African traditional spirituality in its purest form. African spirituality is what sustained our culture for thousands of years. We were able to build great ancient civilizations based on this spirituality. Sadly, after the arrival of Christianity, we were taught that all African religions are paganist. This was due to the

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-30619983668510052562008-04-07T17:03:00.000-07:002008-09-14T11:46:01.200-07:00

Some of you will wonder how I contrived the name Afra-motherland and upon discovering how will wonder who in the world Afra is. Afra is an ascended master from whom the name "Africa" is said to have been inspired by. An ascended master is a spiritual being who once lived on earth and upon transcending the material realm into the spirit world attained the position of an ascended master. Examples

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650077325660959013.post-75442398789548884272008-04-07T16:31:00.000-07:002008-04-10T20:27:47.713-07:00

Out of Africa have risen several Prophets. By Prophets I mean people who were unafraid to speak for the oppressed. They had no fear for the establishment and in some cases, were willing to die for thier convictions. When we think of Prophets our minds go to Biblical heros like Elijah, Moses and even Jesus. However, in my opinion, Prophets appear in different guises and not always in the mold of

NoellJnoreply@blogger.com0