It is not churlish to believe that maybe, just maybe the Kanye West’s, Jay-Z’s and R.Kelly’s of this world with their excellent business acumen can see the gold paved streets of Lagos, Nairobi, Cape Town and Accra across the atlantic and want a piece of the action (extract from:
http://www.myweku.com/2011/06/why-the-kanye-west-d%e2%80%99banj-and-don-jazzy-partnership-matter/ )

Seriously though is ths partnership such a big deal for Nigerian and African music?

Doesn't surprise me. Even American universities are getting in on the act. It is estimated that the total size of land grabbed by foreigners in Africa is now thought to be twice the land size of the UK. source http://www.myweku.com/2011/06/hedge-funds-grab-land-twice-the-size-of-britain-in-africa/

source: http://www.myweku.com/

source: http://www.myweku.com/category/just-for-fun/

Interesting list of the 10 newest online power players in the African fashion industry.

http://www.myweku.com/2011/06/10-most-influential-african-fashion-blogs-and-websites-2011/

Full Article: http://www.myweku.com/2011/06/nyasha-matonhodze-of-zimbabwe-to-be-the-new-face-of-louis-vuitton/

Full Article: http://www.myweku.com/2011/06/keep-your-paws-off-monsieur-strauss-kahn/

full article: http://www.myweku.com/2011/06/nyasha-matonhodze-of-zimbabwe-to-be-the-new-face-of-louis-vuitton/

Nigerian police have raided a hospital in the south-eastern city of Aba, rescuing 32 pregnant girls allegedly held by a human-trafficking ring.

Aged between 15 and 17 years, the girls were locked up and used to produce babies, said Abia state’s police chief.

These were then allegedly sold for ritual witchcraft purposes or adoption.

But the hospital’s owner denied running a “baby farm”, saying it was a foundation to help teenagers with unwanted pregnancies.

The UN organisation for the welfare of children, Unicef, estimates that at least 10 children are sold daily across Nigeria, where human-trafficking is ranked the third most common crime after economic fraud and drug-trafficking.

But the BBC’s Fidelis Mbah in the southern city of Port Harcourt says it is very rare for traffickers to be caught and prosecuted. cont

source: http://www.myweku.com/2011/06/nigeria-baby-farm-girls-rescued-by-police/

Call for Entries Lagosphoto 2011: Deadline 20 March 2011
Design Competition: Design Future Africa
J.D. 'Okhai Ojeikere: Moments of Beauty, 15 April– 27 November 2011, CCA, Lagos
Bursaries to attend 5th World Summit on Arts & Culture, Melbourne

Application Details: http://www.myweku.com/forum/visual-art/135-events-exhibitions-workshops-residencies-etc.html

hmm i "feel" there is a connection myself but then look at the Christian right in America (the Sarah Palin and George Bushes - their mantra is God, Guns and Freedom). They aren't exactly poor are they? Also both the elite in most of the ultra Islamic countries like Saudi Arabia tend to be religious at least in public. They'll go so far as declare jihad in the name of religion.

The link between religion and poverty to me still isn't that clear cut.

A study using census data from nine countries shows that religion there is set for extinction, say researchers.

The study found a steady rise in those claiming no religious affiliation.

The team's mathematical model attempts to account for the interplay between the number of religious respondents and the social motives behind being one.

The result, reported at the American Physical Society meeting in Dallas, US, indicates that religion will all but die out altogether in those countries.

source: http://www.myweku.com/forum/religion/173-religion-may-become-extinct-nine-nations-study-says.html

These countries in question are Western. In my opinion i'd be very surprised if religion starts to play a less important role in the developing world. This assumption then raises another question. Is there a relationship between religion and countries level of economic development. Is as they say religion the opiate of the poor?

The Black wife vanished from the Bible. I had never heard of this before until now. What do others think?

see the youtube video for
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAB9yNNKCoM&feature=player_embedded

Has this image changed over time? Do Africans have similar images of oyibos


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAB9yNNKCoM&feature=player_embedded#t=197s

source: http://www.myweku.com/forum/visual-art/176-image-black-western-art.html#post410

Free Music Download: Human Like You by Anajo Black

http://www.myweku.com/forum/music/86-free-music-download-human-like-you-anajo-black.html

African Union sending 5 to end Libya conflict. Here's information on these leaders

source: http://www.myweku.com/2011/03/profiles-of-the-african-leaders-tasked-with-resolving-the-conflict-in-libya/

source; http://www.myweku.com/2011/02/beyonce-courts-controversy-with-black-face-photo-shoot/

As usual the musician whose parentage is racially mixed is facing criticisms from those who find the magazine’s cover offensive. Anyone who has followed Beyoncé’s career closely perhaps knows that she is likely to have agreed for the photo shoot to be done not out of mockery to Africans but perhaps more out of making an artistic statement.

What do you think?

source with clickable links and pics:
http://www.myweku.com/2011/02/gaddafi-is-killing-us-with-his-africans/


Revolutions in the North African states of Tunisia and Egypt aimed at toppling dictatorships in those countries were characterised by a largely unified non-sectarian force for change. However, there seems to be a rather worrying “racial” dimension to comments from some Libyan protesters, some folks on twitter and other social media about Gaddafi’s supposed use of “African Mercenaries” to kill Libyan protesters.

from twitter: Gaddafi is ordering african mercenaries to break into homes in #Benghazi to RAPE Libyan women in order to detract men protesters! #Libya #Febabout 18 hours ago via webkhalidAlotaibi

from twitter: NEW! #Gaddafi has given the African Mercenaries full freedom in raping Libyan women. #Libya20 February 2011 12:57 am via webLibyanThinker



from twitter: African mercenaries now in #Benghazi #Libya sources in Libya say they’re chasing and killing people with knives and swords. We only fear God17 February 2011 3:26 pm via AliLePointe


African as used by the commentators above referrs specifically to black people most likely indigenous to Sub-saharan Africa and indigenous Libyan blacks of non-Arab or Berber decent.

The international media including AlArabia, The Daily Mirror, and The Daily Telegraph have all picked up on this story admittedly reporting it with a caveat.

It is estimated that about a million of the 7 million population of Libya are of Sub-saharan origin, some of whom have been in Libya for centuries and mostly found in the South of the country.

A significant number of these Africans are, however, recent imigrants to Libya or using Libya as a stop gap destination on their sojurn to greener pastures in Europe. Col. Gaddafi has made no attempts in hiding his supposed love of “Africa” and his determination to help create a free borderless continent and single currency. A 2010 report about the state of “race relations” in Libya does, however, paint a different picture within his own borders.

According to a United Nations Human Rights statement – “Libya must end its practices of racial discrimination against black Africans, particularly its racial persecution of two million black African migrant workers. There is substantial evidence of Libya’s pattern and practice of racial discrimination against migrant workers”.

The New York Times in the article “New Status in Africa Empowers an Ever-Eccentric Qaddafi” gives a sense of the experiences of black Africans in Libya: “All over this capital city, illegal African immigrants line up along roadways, across bridges and at traffic circles hoping to be selected for menial day jobs that pay about $8. They call the areas where they congregate the hustling grounds, which are always crowded with desperate faces from early morning until well past sundown. Many people in Tripoli said they resented the presence of so many illegal workers. “We don’t like them,” said Moustafa Saleh, 28, who is unemployed, echoing a popular sentiment. “They smuggle themselves through the desert, and the way they deal with us is not good.” In the New York Time’s article a former Libyan minister of economy, trade and investment Ali Abd Alaziz Isawi was quoted as saying that illegal immigrants “are a burden on health care, they spread disease, crime. They are illegal.”

Against such a background it is perhaps reasonable to question the validity of this supposed use of “African” mercenaries by the Gaddafi regime to thwart the efforts of protesters. Given Libya’s relatively large black population, are we to assume or conclude that their presence in Gaddafi’s security forces is that mysterious? If so I wonder why?

Africans in the main have been sympathetic and supportive of the desires of Tunisians and Egyptians in their protests. However, the African media and forums are beginning to ask if the prominence and publicity given to so called African mercenaries running amok amongst Libyan protesters pillaging and raping is beginning to tell a rather interesting story about the motives of some Libyan protesters.

On Sudan.net a question posted by a member of the forum – Is Libya racist? – has generated many emotional responses. Surely, isn’t the first rule of any revouloution is to garner as much international support from all quarters as possible?

T Miles, a writer for the blog – Tamathon.com – in the article Libya’s “African Mercenary” Problem provides perhaps the most comprehensive analysis on this issue and sends an ominous message in his conclusion to Libyans which reads:

“Libyans: your fellow citizens have enabled this regime to oppress you for so many years. You must come to terms with this in the aftermath of this revolution, or it will be no revolution at all.

But you have already learned the converse: you have the power to stop this oppression. You are doing it now, and the world, awed by the bravery and audacity in the Arab world this year, stand now amazed by your fearlessness.

But Libyans, you do yourself an injustice with these fears directed at “Africans”. You, in more than one sense, are these Africans. You cannot build a society of justice until you learn this”

source: http://www.myweku.com/2011/02/egypt-supports-wisconsin-one-world-one-pain/

source: http://www.myweku.com/2011/02/what-is-the-purpose-of-life/

At this moment, the stencil of life as we go about it today has succeeded, to a large extent, to blur the general framework under which we can all find the purpose of life. In a sense many of us are resilient enough to endure a pitch black midnight in the pursuit of our dreams, knowing that morning will come. However, we waken into a blurry morning whose dense fog cloaks our determination even further.

When we are in the midst of this misty morning we lose sight of this ultimate question whose answer inspired men and women alike to do extraordinary things. What is the purpose of life?

I would like to pen a fragment of enlightened that I have acquired some time ago. Let me begin by sharing the source of this enlightenment.

A wise man asked me a question one afternoon. ”How does a baby know when to laugh and when to cry?” I could not help by conclude to myself that there is something about the baby that seems to be older than the baby itself. It seems that our individual viscosity drains into a single pot of destiny that cooks towards a greater harmony.

As I continued to interrogate the question I stumbled upon another realization. When somebody dies we speak of that person’s body; implicitly implying that that person is not his body. This means that there is something magnificently great about all of us than the bodies we rent from the landlord of death. Therefore it is something of an insult to the Creator to limit our aspiration of life within the perishable confines of our physical lives.

What is the purpose of life?

When our ultimate purpose of life stretches well beyond the borders of THIS LIFE we quickly see that this life is nothing but a tailor made arena to prepare us for something more. This is an important fact because too many of us have lost our claustrophobia and, in a sense, have accepted to live within a shoe box reality whose rules are defined by a constitution or judicial framework that was written over a cup of coffee by men who also seek enlightenment.

What is the purpose of life?

I would like to draw to a conclusion now, but before I do that I like to stop by the apex of Giza and watch the Egyptians stand on the landscape of their future to plant with their own hands, the trees whose shade will be enjoyed by their children. In their numbers they have proven once again that their pyramids are not a miracle but rather a sign of unshakable determination that can only be fathomed by people that have discovered the purpose of life!

I imagine if I were to ask an Egyptian this question. What is the purpose of life? He would chant with a government shattering voice, the true purpose of life is to find freedom! Once we discover freedom quickly find that the ultimate purpose of life is to Love. Indeed it was that Love that brought down the hand of God to tilt the bodies of Christians to shield their Muslim friends from gallons of water as they practiced their faith.

The complex nature of life can only be simplified by Love, because with Love there is no wrong or right, but there is what there should be. In Love there are no superior and inferior people, but there are people whose contributions are equally important for the advancement of all men.

Let me conclude by submitting that finding Love is the answer.

When we love, we cannot be fathomed by hate. When we love, we cannot be beaten by poverty. When we love, we will find it easy to acquire knowledge. When we love, leaders will be able to humble themselves knowing that they must also be led. When we love no child shall be an orphan because all children will be our children. When we love, medicine will be more effective because the seed of well being grows in the fertile soil of love. When we love, our jobs will transform into fulfilling careers and our economies will sprout in a way that this world has never seen before. When we love we will recycle “the-art-of-war” and produce the “the-art-of-peace”.

When we love we will have the right to call ourselves Africans once again.

February 14th sees the release of No.1 Mango Street. The hotly anticipated album from 2010 MOBO nominee M3NSA conveys the many musical influences of Ghana’s number one beat maker of Soul, Hip-hop, Afro beat and High-Life.
Born in Ghana and raised in London M3NSA says, “I talk about going back to pick up from where I left things, and where everything started. It’s about acknowledging exactly where I come from and bringing all those experiences with me.”

The video for No One Knows’ visual vibrance matches the Asa-sampled song – pragmatic and optimistic in tone – which he describes as follows: “The idea is to enjoy the present to the fullest and be prepared for what the future may bring.”
The song Dream couldn’t be better accompanied than with its atmospheric synths and a singing M3NSA musing on the wholesome values closest to his heart – friends, family, joy and love amongst them. A lone hypnotic horn creates a delightful contrast between live and electronic elements. The playful seduction of Kelewele Pimpin’, a song that uses a popular Ghanaian snack of fried plantain reminds us of his funny side. A side we came to know and love on the hilarious, internationally acclaimed short film known as the world’s first pidgin musical Coz Ov Moni.  Which he did not only conceptualise and co-star in with fellow FOKN Bois (Wanlov the Kubolor), but also produced most of the soundtrack.


C.O.M partly inspired No. 1 Mango Street, the ode to his birth place, as well as his life in London where he enjoys the unique global positioning that cosmopolitan city allows. With snatches of Twi and Pidgen, the clever rhyme schemes and narratives are what make this album universally relatable. Says M3NSA, “You don’t have to be into African Hip-hop to listen to the album, you just have to be into music.”

A decade long production history kick-started with songs he crafted for the legendary founder of  Hip-Life, Reggie Rockstone, affords M3NSA veteran status. But that’s not enough for the MC who with his band The Light Offs (named after Ghana’s power cuts) is on a quest to at least equal his prowess live on stage. Sold-out shows recently with Nneka, collaborating with The Roots live at the Royal Festival Hall, playing alongside Little Brother, The Gorillaz, Tony Allen, Damon Albarn and Amadou and Mariam would indicate that triumph is near.

See Video here: http://www.myweku.com/2011/02/new-album-from-m3nsa-no-1-mango-street/

Claudia Aderotimi’s bottom implant death: What is the fascination with big booties?

source: http://www.myweku.com/2011/02/claudia-aderotimis-bottom-implant-death-what-is-the-fascination-with-big-booties/

“So should I be a glamour model?” 20-year-old ‘CarmellaLondon’ a.k.a. Claudia Aderotimi, self-described model, actress, singer, and dancer, tweeted to her hundred-or-so followers last month.

“I wanna be famous.”

The young woman’s words take on an eerie new meaning this week as details surrounding her sudden death emerge. Reports show that she died as the result of a botched attempt at surgically enlarging her buttocks.

Although there are legal ways to undergo this type of procedure, they can be prohibitively costly and lengthy. So Claudia traveled from London to Philadelphia to undergo an illegal clandestine operation. It cost her $2,000, and her life.

In the wake of this tragedy, public reaction has centered on the senselessness of Claudia’s death. Her actions seem drastic and unnecessary to many who consider cosmetic surgery to be a kind of extravagant and fundamentally superficial endeavor. These folks have been tempted to ask incredulously: “why would a young woman risk her life just to make her butt look bigger, of all things?”

Aderotimi’s death is certainly tragic. But it didn’t take place in a vacuum. Rather than representing an isolated instance of extraordinary tragedy, her death is better classified as a cultural casualty, the direct and largely imminent result of life in a world that appraises beauty by level of difficulty: the more unattainable, the more valuable.

Unrealistic standards of beauty have been shown and perpetuated for so long that today they have become the norm. Many of us no longer consciously notice or object when these standards are presented and perpetuated through us. Fashion models who’ve had their rib-cages photoshopped out to look gaunt and rail thin? We’ve come to expect it. Bodacious video vixens with measurements that seem impossible to achieve? Just another day in the life of a media consumer.

While it’s easy and perhaps tempting to snicker at the lengths to which fame-hungry young women will go to see their dreams realized, less laughable are the multi-million dollar media empires that have been built by women like Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, Nicki Minaj, Lil’ Kim and Coco, all of whom boast ripe “assets” — on their backs and in the bank.

And there’s nothing funny about that money to their millions of fans, including many teens and young women, who look up to these women and wish to emulate their career path. Their celebrity influence is far-reaching and deep-seeded. So it’s not surprise that Claudia is not the first to die as a result of this procedure.

cont: http://www.thegrio.com/entertainment/can-big-bottoms-lead-to-the-top.php?page=2

In too many African countries allegiance is usually to "tribe". Makes it difficult to rise up on a country level like the Arabs can. These guys are also prepared to be killed for their freedom and better management of their countries - are we?

My Brother i agree! There seems to be a bus "flowing" from Egypt to Algeria. Its members carrying internet phones & laptops. Heard Gabon is trying it's best to join in but oga they need the internet to shout louder!!

Apparently, the next North African revolution to topple another dictator is happening in Algeria.

As Egyptians celebrate their victory in toppling Hosni Mubarak, there is evidence that Algerians are beginning to push harder for their own freedom. Planned and unauthorised marches are being heavily clamped down on and demonstrators arrested.

The world awaits to see to what extent the Algerian regime will use force against demonstrators and the extent to which Algerian demonstrators are prepared to go to win their freedom from dictator President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

Wael Ghonim the Google Executive whose creation of a facebook group is widely credited with triggering the rovolution that toppled a 30 year old Egyptian dictatorship in just 18 days! He termed the uprising “Revolution web 2.0“. Could twitter and FB do in Algeria what it has done in Tunisia an Egypt?

See for yourself: live Algeria uprising twitter feeds here: http://www.myweku.com/2011/02/algeria-twitter-revolution-covered-live-as-it-happens/

source: http://www.myweku.com/2011/02/citzens-in-malawi-to-be-punished-by-law-for-farting-in-public/

According to the Nyasa Times, “Malawi minister of justice and constitutional affairs, Dr George Chaponda has confirmed that he will table a government bill which will include a law that will punish citizens who will be farting in public.”.

I never thought gastric rectal acoustics could be treated with such disdain! I cannot imagine billboards appearing all over Malawi warning people of farting in public and perhaps entreating them to look out for offenders. As with most laws their success lie in enforcement.

I hope Malawians have good sense of hearing. I wouldn’t want to think the method for identifying the “farting” culprit is limited to a sense of smell alone! Goodness help us though, if it happens to be a sly silent one

Good stuff. Snoop's career is flagging a bit sha, so he needs Dbanj

Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo (popularly known as D’banj  Artist of the Year at the MTV Africa Music Awards 2009 in collaboration with American rapper Snoop Dogg.

Listen here: http://www.myweku.com/2011/02/music-weekly-dbanj-f-snoop-dogg-endowed-remix-video/

Apparently this is not so strange as both religions are Abrahamic. So WHAT ABOUT the likes of Hindis, Sikh ETC

.

If only such sentiments could spread across Naija and other parts of the world,