This Dog Called Mimi

I have always told my friend that Mimi (that’s his dog’s name) is a disgrace to the Rottweiler’s generation. The dog hardly barks and is always just too scared. Make some unusual sounds in quick succession and Mimi is acting scared. In short, Mimi even snores at night and I am the one now watching over Mimi, not the usual thing of Dog watching over man. My friend and neighbour is out of town and he has pleaded that I watch over the dog for the next one week.

I envy people who go on walks with their dogs. It’s a status thing and they enjoy it. The dog also gets an opportunity to show off; barking at the slightest attempt to get close to it or ones constant gaze at it. Not Mimi. In short, Mimi would not bother herself. The last time we took it out; one bold dude got near the dog and said it’s just one of those local breeds that are well fed. I was embarrassed. My friend later told me that why he only takes the dog on a stroll only under the cover of darkness. The only time Mimi acts like a dog is when she’s having or grooming puppies. I hope Mimi gets to bark tonight. That’s if it’s not snoring. Is these the stuff Rottweilers are made of?

N5 Million for Deceased Corps Members Family

Our president has paid 5 million naira each to the 10 families of the deceased corps members who lost their lives during the recent post-presidential election. All the corps members involved were serving in Bauchi state. While I don’t think this is enough, I hope the panel set up comes up with something real and the perpetrators pay for their act. The president at the meeting he held with the aggrieved family members also promised employment for a member of each family.

I hear Bauchi State’s Governor, Isa Yuguda who many did not know before now is still busy. I heard he’s busy trying to tell us all that he was misquoted and that he did not say what he meant. Sorry; he did not mean what he said. I pray the new committee set up to look into the issue would make some arrest and help us understand the workings of the mind of these perpetrators. Making a northerner, Sheik Ahmed Lemu the head of the panel was a nice move on Jonathan’s chess board. I am happy the NYSC would not be the same after this incident. May the souls of these beautiful ones who were born but killed rest in sound peace. If Ayi Kwei Ama were a Nigerian he would have written a sequel to his well read work.

Food and the World's Forest: A Marriage

I never anticipated the response we got from our friend that day. All buddies; we had all chatted heartily at the prospect the future held. It was our last day together as students seeking a university degree. I think it was Tunji who asked – ‘When you start earning money, what would you do most with your cash’, he thereafter unconsciously stuck out his wet tongue rubbing it on his lower and upper lips. He told us his would be to buy a nice car and enjoy life. I can’t recollect what the 2 other people with us said but we all still remember Jimmy’s comment. It stunned us all. He took his gaze off the book that was sharing his attention with us. ‘I will buy food. I will eat. I will eat good food. You guys don’t know how important food is. I can’t imagine the world without food’, he went on to expatiate on how much he goes after knowing watering holes and good market in every community he has had cause to live in. Indeed, we had always known his room, 234, Block 8, Awolowo Hall was the place to go when we get hungry suddenly. What we did not know was that the dude really loved food and all activities related to it!

... from the forest. 

Of course, he got me thinking afterwards. Food. Food. Food. What would happen if the world had no food? Basic biology knowledge helped me understand the role of plants as the primary producers and without it no other animal in the ecosystem, including man can exist. Rene Redzepi picks his best from the forest. He should know better. He’s the world’s best cook.¹ Covering one third of the earth’s land portion, the forest like Olivier Langrand of Conservation International says- the forest is not a mere group of trees. It’s amazing the quantity of food the forest gets to produce every season here in Nigeria. The nuts are delicious. The bush meats are a delicacy. The fruits are nutritional. The list is endless. The flow chart of links between forestry and household food security is remarkable.²

Perhaps, my fondest memory of Cameroun!

The best traditional and medicinal diets are from the forest. The crunchy mushrooms, the leafy vegetables are foods the forest throws at our feet. The United Nations Environmental Programme³ and Treehuggers ⁴ must continue to help people keep my friend’s attitude and beyond. If we value food then we should value the forest that gives it to us. De-reservation of forest reserves, petroleum exploitation and spillages, poor enlightment should be met head-on. Every environmental activist should know that the most important aspect of environmental advocacy is that part that ensures that the forest remains alive and the vegetation retains its greenery, else we have a bunch of hungry activist! Ouch. The forest has always had the capacity to provide food for man. Leonardo da Vinci, one of my favourites has always been right – Nature never breaks her own law! I’m typing this with two mango fruits on my table; a silent testament to the ability of the forest despite the poor care for it. If the world still craves for food security then forestry must be fully integrated with food, livestock and fish production.⁵ Jimmy? He still loves food. I hear about 40% of his income is spent of buying food! 

Kaduna Relaxes Curfew Again

The curfew hour has been relaxed again in Kaduna. From the days of the 24 hours curfew we have finally moved over to another phase. Until recently it was 6am to 6pm. Learnt the soldiers have been having fun with defaulters. I can give anything to stay with those soldiers and watch some ‘deaf’ pot-bellied Alhajis do some frog jumps. Very funny. Anyway, if and when the opportunity presents itself, I am sure to upload the pictures- maybe for some few hours before I pull it down. So keep reading! 

Back to the main gist - officially movement is now valid from 5am - 9pm. It’s just a one hour addition to the movement Okayed period. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Affairs, Mr. Reuben Buhari has been responsible for giving us the update. Methinks the curfew idea is a good one. Please keep it until after the inauguration ceremony. I can’t afford listening to news of some sharks waking up at night to find preys. By the way, is he Buhari’s relative? I didn’t say anything o. Ok, I said Sai Reuben Buhari.

Do you write Fiction?

If you answer yes to the above, then you want to check this out. It’s a training that can change your writing life. The masters would be sharing knowledge with you and others in an environment befitting of such intellectual engagement. Read more about it on my friend’s blog and know that you also have to respond to this quickly. The offer expires 11.59pm on the 12th of May, 2011. That’s 2 days from the date of this post. Click here to read more information.

Pastor Adeboye Storms Kaduna

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG is being expected at the Ranchers Bees Stadium, Kaduna on Wednesday, 11th 2011. Pastor Adeboye who has a large following within the Christian community is expected to help with the healing of Kaduna spiritually. I’m anticipating that the Governor of Kaduna, Patrick Yakowa who’s a Christian would be at the meeting or would meet ‘Baba’ (as he’s reverentially called) in private. The later may be a politically expedient move - whatever that means. I also pray Baba’s prayers and that of several are answered tomorrow. I am still at a shock that 10 years of peaceful living in Kaduna was shattered in just about a day or two.

The event is scheduled for 3pm – 6pm. I can bet the crowd at the stadium would compete favorably with that of a football match or a political rally at the venue. Expect pictures and gist of the event tomorrow. Besides, I learnt Baba’s son is a pastor in Kaduna and he’s been quietly here for a long while.

Vacancy @ UNICEF Kaduna

Sorry, I’ve been out of synch with blogging in the last couple of days. I’m back in mood and let’s hope the mood stays! Just kidding. The Kaduna end of the UNICEF office and some other states offices of the UN agency in Nigeria needs an extra hand. Sorry, it’s however not for degree holders. It’s an opening for an office assistant. I think it’s more of a clerical duty given the brief. One is sure that it would have better perks that any one-man owned business. Click here for more information about the opportunity. If this information does not benefit you; you might as well know a Diploma degree holder, ND who this opportunity would mean a lot to. Please pass on the information. I will be watching! The deadline is 16th of may, 2011.

P.S If you need help with drafting any of the needed documents, you can enlist my help; and for free! Do me a quick mail- kadunaboy@gmail.com. Best of luck.