A STROLL WITH AIDAN McDANIEL (For United Nations International Day In Support Of Victims Of Torture)

“When people don’t like themselves very much, they have to make up for it. The classic bully was actually a victim first”   ~TomHiddleston

Image Credit: Aidan Mcdaniel

Hey guys, welcome to the stroll, my name is Ebenezar. Today’s episode of the stroll is for the United Nations International Day against Victims of Torture, and one dominant form of torture today is bullying.

At one point or the other in our lives, our heartbeat has doubled its pace because of the thoughts of that big gruesome fellow that will confront you to take your lunch money, salary or make fun of you. J My guest on the stroll today was a guest on one of my favourite TV shows—Al Jazeera’s The Stream—early last month, and he was on the show to discuss cyber bullying with other guests that day.

He’s an American teen anti-bullying activist that has dedicated his time and resources to fighting bullying and harassment wherever he finds it. I had a stroll with Aidan and this is what we discussed;

A STROLL WITH DAVID BERNER (For International Day Against Drug Abuse And Illicit Trafficking)

Image Credit: vancouverradiostations.ca

For the few years we’ve stayed on earth, humanity has grown to love being “high”. Our ladies love high heels, we want to finish high school, be among the high class in the society, watch television in high definition, etc. (hehehe)

We’ve also come to discover that most of this ‘highness’ is not too good for us. Like the highness gotten from injecting yourself with some strong drugs, and sniffing some white powder, etc. My guest on the stroll today was recently on the CNN documentary ‘Shooting up legally’, in which he spoke strongly against the idea of safe injection centers—A new idea most governments are now supporting, that encourages drug addicts to come into these centers to inject themselves with more drugs in a ‘safe’ environment as they call it—David calls this idea complete insanity! 

David is an addiction counselor, TV/radio show host, and author. We had a STROLL, and we talked about drug abuse, the growing popularity of drug cartels, and he gave his advice to people struggling with various addictions. Here’s my stroll with Mr. David;

THE LOW POINTS OF GETTING 'HIGH'

Image Credit: 123rf.com

Everybody abuses drugs here in Nigeria; we are our own doctors! A friend complains to his other friend that his head aches and the other friend who has no medical knowledge whatsoever starts prescribing for him, ''emmmm. . .take 2 paracetamol tablets,and emmm. . .vitamin . . .'' hahaha. I've been guilty of this a couple of times too, but recently I'm trying to change.

HIGHWAY TO HELL

Image Credit: digitaltrends.com

You know, I just laughed at the title of this little article. It’s funny to me. Yet, this is a vivid description of people who are on drugs or those trafficking it illegally. Let’s take a little imagination tour.

ROW, ROW, ROW YOUR BOAT

Image Credit: imo.org

''Row, row, row your boat gently down the sea, merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily. . .'' hehehe. You guys remember that nursery rhyme right? Today on the International Observance is, the Day of the Seafarer recognized by the United Nations and the IMO (International Maritime Organization)

It is a day set aside to honour seamen; the captains and the ship crew, the navy and all those that put their lives on the line to transport goods/people by sea from country to country, continent to continent. And they do a lot to help our economy you know?

A STROLL WITH MIKE PERHAM (For Day Of The Seafarer)

"To reach a port we must set sail-- sail, not tie at anchor. Sail, not drift" ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt

Let me tell you a bit about Mike, In 2007 he sailed across the Atlantic Ocean solo, in 2009 he sailed across the world solo, In 2012 he drove round the world solo, and in 2014 he will be flying across the world solo; making him the first human to circumnavigate the world by air, land, and sea. Awesome right? (haha)

Don’t let these 'superman' achievements deceive you though, he’s just 22. Yeah, you heard me right, Twenty two, and he’s already got all these feathers on his sailors hat. I guess that's why he makes out time from circumnavigating the globe to also speak with other young people and inspire them to also chase their dreams. Well, I had a stroll with Mike—we didn’t stroll round the world though ☺ —But I’m sure you’d get inspired after reading this;

A STROLL WITH BEZ IDAKULA (For World Music Day)

Image Credit: bezworld.com

HAPPY WORLD MUSIC DAY!!!!! Everyone J. Today is the big one because, music is something everyone can relate to; whether you’re a grandpa sitting in your rocking chair playing some high life music, a teenager jumping to the sound of rock guitars at a rock concert, or even a little baby sleeping on a lullaby tune of ‘twinkle twinkle little star’. Music is a food every soul hungers for.

My guest on the stroll today needs no introduction, whether at home in Nigeria, or in Kenya, South Africa, Dubai, and even at the Apple store in New York City. His ‘soul voice’ blends perfectly with his guitar chords, and he’s not just a star, he’s a 'Super Sun’

I’m sure you already know who I am talking about. . .(hahaha) For World Music Day 2013, I had a Stroll with Bez Idakula and this is what we discussed;

MUSIC: INSTRUMENT FOR SHAPING THE SOCIETY OR A WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION?

Image Credit: namibtimes.net

It’s 06:15am and I’m writing on music and its influence on the society. I think in this age, and time, music seems to have a great influence on people, both young and old. There are different genres of music; hip-hop, jazz, blues, rock etc. and every individual prefers at least one genre. Personally, I love music a lot and believe it has a soothing effect and healing power, but that’s not the reason I’m so high on it. Music is simply my twin, If I  don’t ‘see’ it in a day…I’m yet to live that day. It’s good to also know that I’m not the only one who loves music but all around the world, there are lovers of music who listen to songs, compose, and even go for concerts!

WHERE IS THE PEACE??? (Open Letter To The UN)

Image Credit; newsdiaryonline.com

Where is the Peace?

The United Nations (UN), established in 1945 after World War II to replace the League of Nations, is an international organization that was founded with the aim of promoting and facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, civil rights, civil liberties, political freedoms, democracy and the achievement of lasting world peace. Since it was set up, the organization has strived in its own capacity and capability to bring about peace in several war-torn areas from Africa to Asia, Middle East to the Americas. The UN has deployed its peace-keepers and forces to various parts to mediate in conflicts and find a lasting solution in order for peace to reign.

A STROLL WITH LIBAN RASHID (For World Refugee Day)

Image Credit: everythingiseverything.com

Many people around the world might not know what it feels like to live in a tent. With the raindrops beating you, the sun melting your skin, seeing little hungry kids forming queues, fighting for little supplies on their little plates, No portable drinking water. . .The horror just goes on and on.

But my guest on the STROLL today is a breathing encyclopedia of the refugee experience. He has lived for over twenty years in the world's largest refugee camp in Dadaab, and has seen it all so he can easily relate with the struggle of people displaced from their homes seeking refuge in foreign lands.

I was able to catch up with him to share his story with me. We talked about how he transformed from a little refugee boy doing the dishes in a restaurant to an award winning film maker telling stories for people who don't have a voice. Here's Mr Liban's story, get inspired;

A STROLL WITH NNIMMO BASSEY (For World Day To Combat Desertification And Drought)

Image Credit: New Internationalist

In 2009 TIME Magazine listed him as one of the ‘Heroes of  the Environment’, In 2010 he won the Right Livelihood Award, and last year (2012) he won the Rafto Prize.

All these just go to show the great job Mr. Nnimmo is doing for the Earth, and the preservation of her resources. As ex-elected chair of ‘Friends of  the Earth International’, Mr. Nnimmo continues to actively tend and clean the earth. I was lucky to get him to STROLL with me for World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought . . . and here is our discussion

THE BLOOD, THE BANK, AND THE BLOODBANK

Source: who.int

I got a little bit under the weather early this week and I had to visit that place many people dread(apart from Prison that is). . .The Hospital!! Arrrgh! So many people wearing white, looking sad and the thick smell of tablets almost choking the life out of you(Lol). Even though most of the things that happen there are for our own good, It's an obvious sad truth that most of us may never outgrow our childhood resentment for hospitals :)

CRY FOR LOVE

Source: ilo.org

I have not known peace. I have had to struggle to make things work and go through the little years I've lived in one piece. My mother died trying to give birth to me and my father raised me all by himself till I was seven. Then he got sick (cancer of something, the term is too complicated for me to understand or remember.) On his death bed, he handed me over to his younger sister, Aunty Neme, who I've only met once all my life with the words,' Adesua my pride, I'm going to rest now and your aunty will take care of you. She loves you as much as I do and she's your family too.' Ever since then, aunty has been using me to service her customers with the words,' you have to do what you have to do to survive. We must all survive through any means. You know I love you'. Now, three years after my father's death, I'm still in the hell he enrolled me in when he died. Is this love? Aunty, love me, love me enough to protect me from these men every night; All I ask for is...love.

MY PEN, MY PAL

Source: wired.com

It was the favourite toy of my childhood--I did'nt like the teddies and action figures very much--Because, somehow it fit into my palm like they were made for each other. I used it to draw shapes I did'nt understand, write on paper and sand, held it in my left palm and my right, it is the first thing I see in the morning and the last thing I see in the night.

A STROLL WITH GARRETT McNAMARA (For World Oceans Day)

Courtesy: garrettmcnamara.com

For today’s Stroll I will suggest you get sunglasses and a swimwear because, we are heading to the beach.

Yeah!!! You heard me, the beach!!! To catch up with one of the world’s best surfer/extreme water explorer. He holds the world record for the highest wave ever surfed (which is in the Guinness Book of Records) and he started surfing at eleven, which means he has a very deep connection with the seas and Oceans. Considering these, I wonder who is more perfect to stroll with for World Oceans Day 2013.

I was lucky to catch up with Mr. Garrett before he ran for the next gigantic swell. Brace yourself, for this will be a high riding stroll… (smiles) Well, here we go;

GIVE ME A DRINK

Source: worldoceannetwork.org

From the oceans clean and sparkling

Give me a drink

Take the edge off  life's rough handling

Give me a drink

Give me a drink, from nature's pure reserve

Of rivers of refreshing bliss

It’s amazing how nature soothes me and washes away the struggles I face daily. I always like to take a stroll on the beach each evening after work, alone with my thoughts. I sit on the beach and watch the waves of the sea gently rise and fall and I try to match my heartbeat with them. Sometimes the waves are calm, other times they are…roaring. This helps me understand that life is not always cool and calm. Just as I have learnt to appreciate the sea waves whether calm or otherwise, I have learnt to appreciate life and its processes.

ANT LECTURES

Source: my.englishclub.com

Whenever I see an anthill, I usually grab a chair and order some popcorn. Because those little things always teach me big lessons--Lessons often overlooked by most of us.

APOSTROPHE TO THE ACHING SOULS

Source: datadiary.com

I've heard of the wrongs which have been done to you, I have read about them, I have seen some...but I have never felt any of these. Nevertheless, I relate with the situation. I understand the heart of a child, the innocence, the bright-eyed wonder, the hunger for love, the need for connection with someone or something... I once was a child and I craved these. However, you have been denied these through varying circumstances and you ache for something, anything to hold on to even as you spiral down the staircase of darkness.

BLESSINGS ALL AROUND

Source: Slideshare.net

The global day of parents is a day set apart by the United Nations to honour and appreciate parents all over the world for their sacrifices and selfless commitments to their children and the existing relationship between them. It is duly noted by the UN that family is very important and has the primary assignment of protecting and taking care of children. It is also noted that children should grow up in a conducive family environment where love, happiness, understanding and a cordial relationship exists.