Bread, Freedom, Social Justice - Alaa Abd El Fattah #FreeAlaa

Photograph: Nariman El-Mofty/AP

He has been a social critique of the Egyptian government and was the icon for the revolution that occurred in Egypt - a revolution which saw the removal of Hosni Mubarak from power. He was arrested and imprisoned with others for demonstration against the military trials of civilians in 2013. While the world recognizes the injustice meted against Alaa and others, as the judge read out the sentences, outrage by activists who were yelling "down with military rule" echoed in the courtroom at Tora prison, Cairo.

Injustice in Egypt for its freedom fighters and heroes. In her words novelist and political commentator Adhaf Soueif says “It’s not an issue of flaws. It’s an issue of inventing it as they go along. What is surprising is why they even bother with any kind of skeletal resemblance to proper process". Will justice ever return to Egypt?

Tears.. Let it roll

Photo Credit: Reuters

Been a while I posted on here... but its been a tad-busy.. Well, I could not help but write this because my heart aches for what is going wrong. What happened to us all? I mean the whole of humanity has gone topsy-turvy.

So much suffferings, in Borno - my native Nigeria, in Palestine.. yet still some selfish and retarded comments on these global issues are still being posted on several social media sites... Warring in the name of religion, oppression and maiming of defenceless individuals in the name of equity which is clouded by religion? What happened to us all? Being keyboard warriors to prove your intellectual capacity and opinions that would create no resolutions to these issues is nothing but FOOLISH.

I am typing this and the tune "wild horses" plays on ... a line says "Faith has been broken, tears must be cried ...let's do some living after we die" ... Many have died in the name of religion.. kids have been maimed in the name of oppression and justification of who is right and wrong in many global conflictts. Can we at least do some living and not let them die in vain?  Can we stop being smart and highly opinionated without any evidential arts to create a resolution to these issues? Their memories and vanities that came with their living should not remain what the world seems to want it to be - vanities.

My heart does sincerely ache.. and every single day. What has happened to us all?!
 

Where is our Humanity

You have possibly seen the images, read several news on wars and killings, adoption of children in Nigeria by terrorists, human rights violations in China, Egypt and Syria. Have you however heard shallow statements from individuals and groups such as the BNP iterating opinions with headlines like "Syria, not our war" citing economic reasons?

It is quite obvious that the world has lost its humanity. Three teenagers were murdered in Israel and the response from the Israeli government was a massive attack on teenage Palestine youth leading to the murder of sixteen year old Mohammed Abu Khdeir, whose body after autopsy revealed ninety percent burns, as well as incarceration of many others for protesting against human rights abuse (two wrongs dont make a right).

We wake up in our comfortable beds and all we think of is how fun the next friday outing is going to be; we think of our designer shoes and flashy gadgets and cannot empathise with the world around us. Some individuals from what I describe as gutters of mouths make statements like "They are muslims - its not our business" - really!! Is that how shallow you are? Religious sentiments for a humane cause?

 
 

Think on these things - these pictures - They are people around the world; they need our help; in Syria, Palestine, Nigeria etc. You do not necessarily have to go on a plane and become the superhero of the day but you can at least empathise with the world - sign petitions, that beggar on the street - do not just walk by, stop and give that last pound, dollar or at least speak to them like another human being.

We are humans and should start acting that way - Peace!

My Best Friend is Arab & I am a Bookworm who works as a bouncer....

Often times, we try to create stereotypes and judgement about people from the first impressions of what society has deemed acceptable or not. Breaking News#: Society and the way it portrays its perception of a specific kind of people is usually driven by the media in all of its falsettos. Just pick up a copy of the Daily Mail, the UK's most widely read paper and you will understand what I mean ... Immigrants accused of stealing jobs hence the un-pronounced hatred of immigrants by people who are caught in the web of these deceits and so much more.

I used to be one of these people... the ignorant bunch if i may call them that. Oh, he has a tattoo... hence he must be a gangster... He smokes hence he is condemned to lung cancer... He drinks.. he must be going through a depressed state and bound to end up with kidney diseases or the cirrhosis of the liver..

How foolish of anyone out there to think all Arabs are dangerous and a plague to be avoided or imagine that the dread-lock wearing man, smoking a roll-up has nothing to offer society. How foolish to think that because someone has what society terms "social ills", they have nothing to offer the world. Working as a security agent, I did not wear my "geek" glasses to work because society would see me as weak for the sector in which I worked in... This doesn't mean I would not kick "society's butt" if it deemed necessary (six years self defense training ain't sh*t)...

Everyone has a place in this world, a knowledge to offer, a story to tell and learn from... the drug users, the pregnant teenagers, the taxi drivers, the Arabs and Africans alike (we have a whole lot)... Everyone indeed!

We all should look beyond what society terms as acceptable or not... and I also make this reference to Christians because I identify with being Christian. How can we judge and love at the same time when the bible itself asks us not to judge but love and open our hearts to EVERYONE.. not just the "lovable"..

My best friend is Arab... and I am a bookworm who works security... If you still choose to be ignorant after this, what else can I say... C'est la vie.

Are We Still Not Upset? #Nigeria

#BokoHaram #WhereIsOurMoney #Nigeria #RenoOmokri

Yesterday,Reno Omokri alleged "Lover of God" and Special Assistant to President Jonathan on New Media said a load of crap on twitter that should incite vexations by Nigerians or at least those who care about Nigeria. Before I continue, I find his bio on twitter which includes "lover of God" as rather bothersome because if he really is, then he should note what the bible does say about liars - Well, I do.

Yesterday, this supposed Personal assistant to the President of Nigeria came on twitter and said "people who think they are making a statement when they insult the presidet are right. They are making a statement about their upbringing".  hahaha..  Find this funny and not still upsetting - the way the polished, mighty and haughty still feel untouchable in this day and age?

Wake up Reno (I should not add Mr. while addressing you because your speech and conversations thus far about Nigerians who speak out are rather demeaning for your age and position). Are you saying that Nigerians should not speak out after $20 billion or $10 billion (like it would look smaller by taking out another $10 billion) as claimed by the Minister of Finance dissapeared from the NNPC, or we should smile and give Mr. president a pat on the back for the death of over 400 Nigerians (and thats a meagre figure of those that have lost their lives in recent terrorism attacks so far - 42 as claimed by press sources two days ago).

Mr. Reno says we should be happy or smile like nothing happened after our president because of his busy itenary could not visit the site of massacare of more than 40 students at a school in Yobe - Northern Nigeria (thats the image he presented to the people by sending another of his twitter dogs to deliver his "it is well" messages to Nigerians after the attacks).

I think the presidential media advisers all need firing - you on the front list - and Mr president has to stop focusing on the 2015 election and on creating stability in the northern regions. I also believe Mr president also has to find better lines like "Let the world not judge us by how many times we have stumbled but how many times we have risen when we have faltered".

For how long do you think we Nigerians without proper upbringing as your statements insinuate will keep quiet? I along with those who care about Nigeria will continue making a statement about our upbringings and speaking what we feel about Nigeria - which usually tends to be unbiased by the way and drawn by our passion for the country's development. By the way we have freedom of speech and expression as provided by the constitution or do we?



 

SELFIE!!

Imagine some a few years back when everyone had to go to a photographer to take a picture.... now fast forward and we all have cameras on our gadgets... phones, tablets, laptops.. virtually everything... and now everyone (not just the girls) takes what we term as selfies..

Most guys would want to "man -up" and deny that they do take selfies as it does make us seem silly and less"manly" to take selfies.... but stop lying to yourself.. we like it.. the vanity of taking pictures of our "best facial-sides" .. sometimes one-too-many pictures.. to make sure we have the best pose and look before deleting and trying another one... and wait for it ..... the newly adopted  chat application - SNAP CHAT, which I find to be amazing to be honest... (I even have snap chat-besties.. lol... thats how I kill boredom when I am not in the library or at work.. take silly pictures of myself and send out by a tap on the virtual screen of my phone).

Whether its snap chat, instagram, facebooking and sometimes twitter (I wonder who does selfies on twitter though)... Selfies are here to stay.. at least for the next bit of a while with even the pope and President Obama taking part in the new trend.

Places I however find should be a total NO! on the selfie campaign includes toilets and the gym (lol.. ladies taking selfies of themselves in the mirror thinking their hips got bigger after two squats - No it didn't!). Aside from that, go on, take a selfie - you know you want to :p :p

 

New Music: ENGRAVEN - Olan

This a new song by music director,vocalist and instrumentalist Olan. Its called "Engraven"... Have a listen and enjoy some feel good music :) ...



Cheers People!

Ramblings and Musings

Friday fast approaches, stores and mega retailers putting up their best deals for flowers, chocolates, sweets and all that good stuff.. Then I ask myself, is that what constitutes love or rather proof of love in whatever form?
We sit in our comfort zones cheering to a beer and like my good friend Joel pointed out "watching and voting on x-factor" - not that I am against the show in anyway, forgetting what constitutes happiness albeit love in the world.. It has sadly become "normal" to see bigger headlines of celebrities having a fight in bar than that of starving children in war-torn countries. It seems our minds/hearts have been re-programmed to be stone hearted not to care about these people because they are not our "family".

I once met someone who would never give a penny to a beggar at the train stations.. For his excuse "he's a druggie and will keep asking everyone"... In my own opinion, give the "druggie" if you can spare.. or try to talk to them like another human being at least... They might not even be a druggie...

While we go on our roses spending spree for friday, eating exquisite meals and drinking the finest chardonay, dont forget the world because you live in a "comfort zone".. Palestine, Iraq, Syria, Somalia etc.

Think of these and say a little prayer at least.. In Arabic.. Khlast ... meaning "thats it".. My little piece of ramblings and thoughts for now.

Time and Tide

Its a rainy, albeit windy morning in Treforest where I live; my mind not at rest, thoughts of exams and assesment deadlines as well as work and work-out schedule (yeah, i'm vain like that - lost 40Kg in 3 months to buffer my point of being vain).

 

Anyway, I came across a blog of a new friend, I met from work where I volunteer and I recalled my blog as well (not that I forgot about it anyway)... I however over the next few months will be keeping a personal diary of this "new found land", video recording of my adventures in mountain climbing as well as sky-diving ... hehehe.. (I'm brave like that).... and my quest to learn to speak Arabic and Chinese.

 

I will also try not to forget to talk about politics in Nigeria (I follow closely - as I have political ambitions as well) ...

 

Keep following guys, TT's blog is not dying anytime soonest :)

 

It only gets better.....

 Its been very difficult through the past few months, new job, new city, culture shock... but what can I say... living the jand dream like most people back home would call it. Its been exciting but really been an educational journey thus far. I can for sure say I have surprised myself, done things that I would not have considered previously... I will term these misdemnors as developing the professional in me... more like expanding my horizons etc...

Not to bore you or make you seem jealous with these nice pictures... but c'est la vie... thats been my life over this past few quarters. For those of my followers who have been mailing me asking for my return to blogging and writing, I quite appreciate the support... @TT_SOURCE will not die... been in hibernation mode, trying to cope with working, schooling and all the madness therein... Love y'all to bits....

Projects in the works... New look also... lol.. BE VERY AFRAID!!!

Design Label MIA presents its Spring/Summer 2014 Collection Lookbook

Paging Malawian fashion enthusiasts!

 

Let’s take a walk on the borders of Malawi with design label MIA‘s new 2013 collection. Created by designer Mia Nisbet, the collection is a testimony to her ethos of creating ethical and sustainable fashion from Africa and for Africans, which she also refers to as up-cycled fashion. She fuses recycled fabrics and traditional Malawian textiles to create collections that combine the richness of African fabrics and cultures with Western styles.

According to the designer in an interview with the collection’s lookbook fashion photographer Adam Marc Williams, creating up-cycled fashion is “more than recycling clothing. It involves a whole process of deconstruction, re design and reconstruction. An up- cycled garment will utilize an old dis-guarded garment and give it a completely new lease of live as a completely reinvented garment“

Well, let’s see what she created with her pro-recycled fashion movement and fashion expertise.

Hear This Guy Shaa - " This World Cup is for Jonathan – Eaglets Coach"

So other Nigerians con be wetin?

Coach Manu Garba has dedicated Nigeria’s fourth FIFA U-17 World Cup victory to President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife.

Away from the battery of cameras and in the hallowed corridors of Al Jazira’s dressing room in Abu Dhabi, Manu said both President Jonathan and his wife more than anybody deserved praise for the feat he achieved with his team.

He recalled it was only President Jonathan that hosted the boys upon their return from the African U-17 Championship, where they came second.

 

“This trophy is for President Goodluck Jonathan, who had a strong belief in us despite the fact that we came second at the African championship,” MTNFootball.com quoted the Eaglets coach as saying after the team’s victory on Friday.

 

“We were really fired up when he hosted us after the African Championship and we are looking forward to meeting Mr. President again with the World Cup.”

 

Manu described President Jonathan as a very lucky man after the Golden Eaglets followed the footsteps of the Super Eagles for winning a major trophy in 2013.

The senior national team started the year with glorious outing at the African Nations Cup in South Africa and the Golden Eaglets World Cup win is more than an icing on the cake as 2013 drags to an end.

He revealed that his wife was the first person he called immediately after the final whistle of the match that saw his young guns dethrone Mexico as champions and entered the pantheon of world football as the first to win a record fourth world title.

“In fact, for the past four months I was not able to see my wife because of the nature of this job and I’m so happy that all the efforts we put into this work was not in vain,” he said.

“I want to use this opportunity to thank my wife for taking care of the home front.”

Manu also heaped praise on both Senator Liyel Imoke, Governor of Cross River State and Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, His Excellency Ibrahim Auwalu who rode on the team’s bus in company of Nigeria Football Federation’s President Aminu Maigari for a dinner reception hosted by the Nigeria Embassy in the UAE.

Source: The Nation

Iyanya at the 2013 Soul Train Awards in Las Vegas | FAB Red Carpet Shots of Jennifer Hudson, Boris Kodjoe, Toni Braxton & more

 

Nigerian music star Iyanya was present at the 2013 Soul Train Awards yesterday Friday 8th November 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
Iyanya who attended the star studded event with his manager Ubi Franklin, was nominated in the Best International Performance category for his single “Kukere”.
For the event, Iyanya wore his best suit and tie look yet. He chose a black velvet suit, a white shirt, a blue bow tie and black shoes.

Check out photos of the event.
Actor/comedian Anthony Anderson hosted the event.

Iyanya & Ubi Franklin

Iyanya & Boris Kodjoe

Jennifer Hudson

Photography: Personality Dolapo Oni’s Stunning Photos

Can everybody say stunning!

 

Nigerian TV Personality Dolapo Oni never fails to look picture perfect.

Recently the Ebony Life TV presenter updated her official website – www.marcydolapooni.com,  the shots are just awesome!

 

Check it out!

Photography: Jide Alakija Photography

AY Live Comedy Show in London, November 17th at IndigO2

AY Live comedy show will take place on Sunday November 17th at London's IndigO2. I Go Dye, Elenu, Pencil, Helen Paul, Juliet Ibrahim, Chris Attoh, Yemi Black, Sir Shina Peters, & CEO Dancers will all perform at the show. Ticket is from 25 pounds. Buy your tickets at Cokobar.com.

Sam Adeyemi's 22 Questions On National Conference

 

Pastor Sam Adeyemi is the Senior Pator of DayStar Christian Center, a Life coach, leadership coach and a teacher. He spoke last evening on the intending National Conference and asked so many questions. You have to start reading from the last tweet upwards, to understand his tweets.

''Will the Nigerian elite class have enough conscience to create a Nigeria where all citizens can equally prosper?'' All these and more after the cut.

Photos: Comedian AY Features Vivica Fox In His First Ever Movie

Ayo Makun has delved into movie productions! Not only as he started producing films, but he will also be acting in them, so you are now free to call him an actor. Ay has been in the US with Ramsey Nouah and Desmond Elliot for some weeks now where they have been shooting scenes for the movie. However, what caught our attention was when Vivica Fox an American actress, was spotted on his movie set. She is said to be one of the actresses Ay featured. This is the first movie he is producing.

New Video: WizKid - Jaiye Jaiye