A loaded week for Motherland

HERE, in this column, we move from website to website and peep from webpage to homepages in search of what is happening (or about to happen) in the world. Remember that the world of the Internet never forgets information or images shared on it. Electronic footprints are retrievable by, and for those with good word combinations to sniff out what happened years ago or what is presently happening.

The web is one of the windows of our world. The web is not like the print medium filled with text and images; the web is the convergence of all expressive forms as we move within the universe of meaning. Information that morphs into knowledge is always the objective (or end-goal) but mis-information (the twin of stupidity) is never too far from those who want to attract traffic to their sites without putting in the work that is needed to make a site attractive. Shall we say an Internet monitoring one-person riot squad is here to stay? 

So, let us get to work this week.

THE week, in which Nigeria is celebrating her 60^th independence anniversary, the web is also calibrating how far Nigerians in different walks of life are faring.  Come with me to the website of the Nigerian Voice, where the table is set for the celebration of Nigerians based in South Africa.

Who does not know that 2020 is a significant year in the history of Nigeria’s march into nationhood? The ‘man-child’ heads toward another milestone that will not be eclipsed by the thunder of Corona Virus and its doppelgänger, Covid-19.

According to the organisers of one of the events to mark the coming of age of Nigeria, “it is definitely a perfect event to celebrate Nigeria-South Africa relationship, (anticipated) social cohesion, citizen to citizens engagement, as well as cultural and educational interaction.” As you can observe, the organisers are clear in their minds about what they plan to do and how to do it.

I just do not think social cohesion and South Africa should be in the same passage. The website moves on by giving us a bit of the event’s history.

This is the fourth in the series of the excellence awards and it is coming at the heels of a headline saying “South Africans march to Nigerian Embassy, protest against immigrants.”

The organisers of the awards are not oblivious of the campaign of calumny against Nigerians in South Africa and other places. According to their website, “(t)he event is used as a platform to celebrate the Nigerian culture, tradition, heritage, food, music and as well as create a networking platform for people of like-minds to meet and interact.

The event now in its fourth (4) edition is geared towards opening up the Nigerian community to South Africans importantly and members of the African community in South Africa in order to encourage friendship and collaborations in all sectors and to encourage partnership in business as well as social cohesion, citizen to citizens interaction, as well as encourage cultural and educational exchange programs as a way of breaking down the xenophobic barriers causing disunity between citizens of Nigeria, South Africa, and other African nations”

Laudable goals you will agree. Nigerians in a strange land making sure that they leave worthy footprints all over cyberspace and spaces around South Africa.

PRESENTATION of awards is not the only web event worthy of note, October 3, 2020 is a date to keep in our calendars.

“The Nigeria Cultural Parade & Festival” is organised under the aegis (and) collaboration between Culturally Naija and WeLead.

Culturally Naija was founded in 2016 by a group of Nigerian Americans to address the needs of the Nigerian community by enhancing a positive image. WeLEAD is a platform focused on making a difference as a change agent. To represent possibilities, present opportunities and connect communities across the world.” It may take some digging to reveal the personalities behind the mask of the two organisations. The urgent matter at hand deserves that this narrative moves ahead to why they are interested in the positive projection of Nigeria.

 As we all know, texts on the Internet are filled with claims and promises. In the column, yours sincerely is not a judge but a conduit who allows the websites express themselves. On that premise we are told this is the “largest cultural celebration of Nigeria and its diversity” and it will grace the screens of those who are eager to learn about what makes Nigeria the kind of nation-space it is becoming.

Is it not said that where there is spectacle, there will also be spectators? The promise from those putting this festival together is that you “will enjoy the most cultural exports of Nigeria, the famous jollof rice and peppered suya will make its rounds throughout the festival grounds. You heard it here first!

So, brace for the impact because Houston is about to be hit with cultural vibrations.” To those who will be watching from home, your plate of Jollof rice will be imaginary and your bottles of drinks will come as you think of pre-Covid days.

THE organisers of the “Virtual Nigeria cultural parade and festival” in collaboration with OAN-New York Nigerian Independence Parade have chosen 11am on that Saturday for the fun to unfurl. To be part of this virtual fair simply search for #naija60htx and the rest will be history.

THE 60^th celebrations will not all be about songs and dancing feet, because the Nigeria society which is a part of the Strath Union, established in 1964 will be holding an event with the theme “Together shall we be” on October 9, 2020. As at the time of filing this report, the speakers were yet to be confirmed. What is however confirmed is that this will be a Zoom webinar for just two hours (4pm to 6pm). Is there anyone wondering which kind of organisation Strath Union is about? You need not worry much, I got that wrapped up for you. It is an umbrella student association with an ambitious goal of “empowering students to shape, enhance and enjoy their Strathclyde experience!”

 Strath on the other hand is a shorter version of Strathclyde, a University based in Glasgow, UK.  The Nigerian Society is one of the many affiliates of the Union. The President of the Society is Engineer Stephen Okwudili Ugwuanyi while Osegiuwa Okpukpu is the Director of social.

…A journey to my past…

AS you prepare for the events above, I am sure you are interested in my own story of Independence Day celebrations, how I, once upon a time, celebrated the birth of a nation. How can I make a very long story short? How do I tell you the story of Mr. Oni of Ireti Primary school who selected me among the best students to go for the parade at Race-Course? Now with that name you should know this is not a story of yesterday. It is a story of the time Nigeria was ruined (yes editor, ruined) by the military. In the hot day sun, they made us pretend like little soldiers marching to the music of their bands. My dear readers, I cannot recall all that happened but I know I had to trek from Race Course to Ebute Meta crossing the Carter Bridge! Do you young ones still cross Carter Bridge by foot to be hit by the putrid odour at Iddo on the way to Ọtọ before arriving at Oyingbo. Let me leave the story here until another day.

Meanwhile Happy 60^th anniversary to Nigeria and to all long-suffering Nigerians across the globe!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-nigeria-cultural-parade-festival-tickets-88716127325

https://www.strathunion.com/clubs-socs/societies/soc/6948/