Water is Power: My Stroll with Cynthia Lam

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The 2015 theme for World Water Day is Water and Sustainable Development, and on this day we are reminded that;

Water is Health—clean hands can save your life

Water is Nature—ecosystems lie at the heart of the Global water cycle

Water is Urbanization—every week one million people move into cities

Water is Industry—more water is used a manufacture a car than to fill a swimming pool.

Water is Energy—water and energy are inseparable friends

Water is Food—to produce two steaks, you need 15,000 litres of water

Water is Equality—everyday women spend millions of hours carrying water [1]

A LITTLE EXTRA | iObserve for World Poetry Day

"If I read a book and it makes my whole body so cold, no fire can warm me, I know that is poetry." - Jane Austen

Poetry in its various forms means and communicates a myriad of things and ideas. By our creative attempts and responses to it, it can be seen as an entity that continuously reiterates the connection in our humanity and universal emotions. Today, March 21 is the World Poetry Day, designated by UNESCO to celebrate and promote the culture of reading, writing, and teaching of poetry globally. For poets and readers, today is just another day to bask in the shade that beautiful words can weave. But how about observing the Day with a little extra?

A Walk in the Garden: My Stroll with Dan Pearson

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21st March has been declared as the International Day of Forests and the Tree by the United Nations General Assembly.

This new global celebration of forests builds on the successes of the International Year of Forests in 2011, and provides a platform to raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests and of trees outside forests.

Activities expected to take place on the International Day include tree-planting and other community-level events, and national celebrations including art, photo and film as well as social media outreach. [1]

Behind the HARD talk: My Stroll with Stephen Sackur

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The General Assembly of the United Nations in its resolution 66/281 of 12 July 2012 proclaimed 20 March the International Day of Happiness recognizing the relevance of happiness and well-being as universal goals and aspirations in the lives of human beings around the world and the importance of their recognition in public policy objectives.

The United Nations invites Member States, international and regional organizations, as well as civil society, including non-governmental organizations and individuals, to observe the International Day of Happiness in an appropriate manner, including through education and public awareness-raising activities [1]

Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity: My Stroll with Melissa Fleming

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International Women’s Day, celebrated globally on 8 March, will highlight the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a historic road-map signed by 189 governments 20 years ago that sets the agenda for realizing women’s rights. While there have been many achievements since then, many serious gaps remain.

This is the time to uphold women’s achievements, recognize challenges, and focus greater attention on women’s rights and gender equality to mobilize all people to do their part. The Beijing Platform for Action focuses on 12 critical areas of concern, and envisions a world where each woman and girl can exercise her choices, such as participating in politics, getting an education, having an income, and living in societies free from violence and discrimination. [1]

Young, Wild, and Green: My Stroll with Tjalke Weber

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World Wildlife Day, observed on March 3rd annually, provides the ideal opportunity to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora; recall the privileged interactions between wildlife and populations across the globe, and raise awareness of the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime, which has wide-ranging economic, environmental and social impacts

The 2015 theme is #SeriousAboutWildlifeCrime, and Individuals and Organizations are encouraged to amplify this message on Social Media as well to help raise awareness against wildlife crime.[1]

SPEAKING IN MANY TONGUES | Guest post for International Mother Language Day

"An advocate for the inclusion of mother language, not only in education, but other important areas of development, Kola Tubosun shares his thoughts on mother tongue and the prospects in development, for International Mother Language Day." - Editor's note

Guest Writer: Kola Tubosun

Let me start from where we all agree: language is important, and so is education. Where the disagreement usually comes is when we insist that mother tongue education is the most important education of all. The ability to speak is a crucial aspect of our humanity. Not just speech, by the way, but language. Those unable to utter speech have found other ways to communicate through sign languages. But let’s talk about speech -- our ability to vocally communicate our deepest thoughts. Along with our ability to stand erect (monkeys have that, after all), it is the only thing separating us from animals. Whether one be an Eskimo in the north pole, an aborigine in Australia, a native American in North Dakota, or an Igbo man in Enugu, one thing that we all share is our ability to vocally respond to our environment with dexterity, creativity, and originality; the ability to speak in ways never before conceived by any other person. The ability to speak in one’s mother tongue only intensifies the peculiarity of that experience.

NOT BEYOND US: MY PERSONAL STORY | Guest Post for World Cancer Day

"A deeply moving survivor's story that shows cancer is truly #NotBeyondUs and that hope, in Akoth's own words, is essential to the will to live." - Editor's note.

Guest Writer: Akoth Otieno

I held my hand under the tap and let a stream of water run on it. I was struggling not to look at myself in the mirror because I was yet to make peace with the woman I was becoming. Underneath the pretty scarf on my head lay a bald no one knew existed. None of my classmates knew about the chemotherapy. I did not know I could get to a point where I literally have to count the number of seconds to my next fake bathroom break so I could cry my frustrations away. I did not know how I was to get past the next hour. I did not know whether I would make it past the day. But I was yet to learn what it meant to surrender. I was yet to learn to fight, yet to know that pain demanded to be felt and that the only way we could soak in joy is if we accepted our pains and learnt to live with them. I was yet to know that my pain could be used to someone’s gain. I was yet to learn that my story was not mine and that I needed more emotional support than I thought.

WE CANNOT STOP; THE STRUGGLE MUST CONTINUE | Guest Post for Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation Day

"Many myths have characterized the justification of female genital mutilation. In this expository article, Barbara walks us through history guiding us to see the consequences of these myths entrenched in improbable reasons and challenges us to rise to the call to end female genital mutilation. " - Editor's note

Guest Writer: Barbara Mhangami-Ruwende

The term Female genital mutilation (FGM) encompasses all procedures that intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons and with no health benefits to women and girls. This harmful practice is concentrated in 29 countries in Africa and the Middle East and with less frequency in other countries around the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are over 25 million women and girls who have undergone FGM. This practice is legally prohibited in many countries, and it has been designated a violation of the human rights of girls and women. The health consequences of FGM include bleeding to death, frequent urinary tract infections, loss of sexual pleasure, infertility, complications during childbirth and increased risk of newborn deaths. The overall quality of life for women and girls is often compromised due to FGM. 

"I" IS FOR ISM, ANTISEMITISM AND HOLOCAUST | Guest Post for International Day of Commemoration of Memory of the Victims of Holocaust

"Comparative and expository. This article will get you thinking deeply. Opinions expressed, however, are that of the author and his alone" - Editor's note.

Guest Writer: Carl Terver

The #JesuisCharlie hashtag is said to be one of the most popular hashtag in the history of Twitter. What made this hashtag so popular? Belief is a strong force that the best psychoanalysts haven't understood the phenomenon behind it. It's a force so strong that compels the human mind to undertake the daring, to firmly hold on to ideals, to adhere to something abstract and even defend it. Following the Charlie Hebdo killings citizens all over the world campaigned in a protest showing their solidarity. Not just this, most people were in this campaign to also support the freedom of speech which the attack on the cartoonists sought to condemn. While these protests and rallies were going on in the whole of Europe and all over the world a settlement, Baga, in Northeast Nigeria was under gunfire, a deadly assault that claimed according to news report about 2000 lives compared to the 19 in Paris. In both incidences people died, there was the loss of human life. In Paris it was a clash of beliefs; in Baga it was the superimposing of belief, belief meted against.

THE WALL BETWEEN US | Guest Post for International Day for Tolerance

"As the United Nations observes International Day for Tolerance, Viola Okolie lends her voice and calls attention to something we may be so quick to discard because it has become the norm - social media intolerance. Social media is a tool for change; if you are fighting on or through it, you'd better ask yourself, "Am I really fighting for change or simply fighting?"- Editor's Note

Image Credit: Blogofmanly 

As Nigerians prepare for the general elections billed to hold on the 14th of February 2015 where they are expected to elect a new group of politicians to steer the country in the right developmental direction, there is palpable tension in the air. If Valentine's day seems like an odd day to head to the polls, perhaps in choosing that day, the elections' umpire - The Independent National Electoral Commission - hopes to piggyback on the average Nigerian's sentimental nature and the worldwide recognition of that date as “Lovers' Day”, to conduct a hitch free election. Hopefully, the euphoria of all the Valentine's Day dinners and roses, cakes and dates would spill over into the next day and the day after and the day after...

A STROLL WITH NNAMDI NWOHA (For International Animation Day)

(Credit: Nnamdi Nwoha)

AREA! is a “little” animation experiment, and the idea behind it is to provide Indigenous Animation drawing from everyday life in Nigeria. The result of this experiment is just Whao! Even the word “Viral”, is not good enough to describe how far it has spread across the blogosphere since it was launched about 3 years ago.

For this year’s Animation day, I’ll be strolling with the guy behind this sensation. Nnamdi is a graduate of University of Lagos, Nigeria, and he’s part of the rising generation of young Africans who are pushing the boundaries of Professionalism to create careers for themselves in their areas of passion.

We discussed the vision behind AREA!; how we can foster locally-made animation; Naruto; and much more. Here’s our conversation;

A STROLL WITH Under-Secretary-General GYAN ACHARYA (For United Nations Day)

Credit: UN-OHRLLS

I was a panelist at a book discussion during the just concluded 2014 Port Harcourt Book Festival, and the book we discussed was “Interventions: A Life at War and Peace”, by Kofi Annan and Nader Mousavizadeh. In course of the interaction  we discovered that, over the years, popular opinion of the United Nations has been of an organization made for the elite first-world nations to discuss their selfish interest, rather than an organization for “We the peoples…” as the UN Charter says. However, all that is slowly changing.

October 24th is United Nations Day and my guest, Mr Gyan, is saddled with the job of bringing the impact of the UN down to the worlds most vulnerable countries. USG Gyan Acharya is the High Representative for the least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, and small island developing states.

In course of this stroll, we discussed the 69th General Assembly; the work going on at the UN-OHRLLS; the MDGs; and much more. Here’s my conversation with USG Acharya;

A STROLL WITH RICHARD SAUL WURMAN (For World Development Information Day)

Richard Saul Wurman embodies creativity, curiosity, understanding, and innovation—all in one. An architect, designer, and author of 83 books; Wurman is best known for founding TED in 1984 which, 3 decades later, has grown into the biggest conference for discussing ideas and innovation around the world.

The following are some comments that Richard sent to me after a conversation where I asked him about his TED journey.

A STROLL WITH LUKE THOMAS (For World Food Day)

   "One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well." ~ Virginia Woolf

(Image Source: Luke Thomas) 

I get the rare privilege of reporting from a world class kitchen or restaurant once every year, thanks to World Food Day. This year, I'm at Luke's Dining Room at Sanctum on the Green to catch up with my guest, the youngest head chef in the United Kingdom, Luke Thomas.

Luke, who recently turned 21, on 2nd October, began his culinary career at 12 and has worked for many prestigious establishments including; the Chester Governor Hotel, Liverpool One, the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai, Alinea in Chicago, to name a few. In 2009, Luke won the Future Chef competition organized by Springboard and ever since he's been bouncing his way to the top through his diligent work and mature leadership.

Luke and I discussed a whole lot; from cooking, to global hunger, to even the English Premier League. Do well to grab a snack for this mouthwatering stroll. Here's our conversation;

A STROLL WITH CIARA JUDGE, EMER HICKEY, and SOPHIE HEALY-THOW (For International Day of the Girl Child)

“Courage, sacrifice, determination, commitment, toughness, heart, talent, guts. That’s what little girls are made of.” ~ Bethany Hamilton 

(Image Credit: GSF)

Apart from searching for keywords on the web, every year Google embarks on a search for smart teens around the world globe with creative solutions to problems in our world today.

Supported by LEGO, National Geographic, Scientific American, and Virgin Atlantic, this year’s Science Fair drew hundreds of entries from around the world, and out of those entries 15 finalists emerged. The finalists won different awards in their different age categories, but there was a grand prize. Yes, the big one, and this year’s grand prize went to a team of 3 Irish girls; Ciara Judge, Sophie Healy-Thow, and Emer Hickey.

I was lucky to catch up with these three smart and beautiful girls for a stroll. It was the first time I ever attempted strolling with three guests simultaneously (Thanks to Sharon, from Google, for giving the push), and the girls and I had so much in course of this stroll. Happy International Day of the Girl Child to every young lady out there, this stroll is dedicated to you.

A STROLL WITH GIRL UP (For International Day Of the Girl Child)

“Girls should not give up. As long as they believe in their dreams, they would one day see where it takes them. I dream too, and I’m already living some of my dreams…” ~ Zuriel Oduwole

October 11 is a day set aside by the United Nations to celebrate girls all around the world, and to mark this year’s observance, I’ll be taking an exclusive stroll with Melissa Hillebrenner, the Director of Girl Up.

Girl Up is a campaign of the United Nations Foundation that supports millions of adolescent girls growing up in developing countries. Girl Up’s vision is that, all girls, no matter their geographical location, have the opportunity to become educated, healthy, safe, counted, and positioned to be the next generation of leaders.
 
Melissa and I talked about this unique day, Girl Up’s vision and the journey so far, as well as the contribution we all can make, in our own little way, to support the cause of the girl child. Here’s our conversation;

A STROLL WITH GOSSY UKANWOKE (For World Teachers Day)

“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” ~William Arthur Ward

Despite being called the ultimate profession, that is, the profession that makes other professions. Over the years, teaching has been relegated to the bottom of the pyramid in many countries around the world. For many University graduates today, it’s only a last resort when they can’t find white collar jobs, and I guess the question you’re asking is why is this so?

October 5th is World Teachers day and today’s guest, Gossy, and I take a walk to discuss possible answers to this question, as well as the future of education and the evolution of the traditional classroom.

Gossy is the founder of Beni American University and BAU Online (Nigeria's first Online University), and his dream is to leverage on technology to transform how education is provided in this 21st-Century-Africa. Previously featured on CNN African Startups and Forbes, in 2010 Gossy also founded Students Circle Network; an international, educational social network for college and high school students, providing free course resources, peer to peer learning, study groups and support services.

Join us. Here’s my stroll with Gossy;

A STROLL WITH SAM BIRD (For World Car-free Day)

                                
                             "Racing is life and life is a risk" ~Michael Schumacher

The world is getting greener and our racing cars are getting faster, but how do we marry the two? Formula E is the answer.

On 13th September 2014, racing fans around the world were given a sneak peek into the future as history was made in Beijing where the first ever Formula E(electric car) race took place. With about 75,000 live spectators, 10 teams with 2 drivers each raced each other in a bid to write their names in the history books of motor sports. Well, tires screeched, batteries ran down, and a collision happened, but after everything, my guest on today's stroll got a spot on the podium.

Finishing 3rd, only behind Franck Montagny(2nd) and Lucas di Grassi(1st), Sam Bird--driver for the Virgin Racing Team--put up a great performance to the delight of cheering fans. In course of our stroll we talked about Formula E, Formula 1, the future of motor sports, and much more. Here we go;

ENGAGING YOUTHS IN DEMOCRACY | Guest Post for International Day of Democracy

"You are familiar with the challenges; you know the solutions. If you had no idea, with this, you now do. Now is the time to act. Do not read this and do nothing."- Editor's note.

Image Credit:damajority

Nigeria returned to the democratic path in 1999. But, 15 years after ushering the military out of the political space – a period that is on record as the longest unbroken spell of civil rule in the history of the nation – we can hardly boast of having entrenched basic norms and tenets of democracy in our system, leaving us a democracy only in nomenclature. Our ability to hold credible elections is still in doubt as both declared election winners and losers trade accusations of rigging, manipulation and impropriety after virtually every election. And with election results enmeshed in so much controversy, it raises serious questions as regards how truly representative government at all levels and across tiers really is. Also, the concept of the rule of law which presupposes that no one is above the law is anything but true in this clime. A significant cause of this seeming ‘movement without motion’ is because the same crop of people under whose watch the system deteriorated and the country began its descent into the abyss are either still in the thick of the action of governance, or are on the sidelines quietly pulling strings and calling the shots.