Cease Fire!!

Nigeria's Islamist militant sect Boko Haram is demanding the release of it's members imprisoned by the Borno State Government or face the risk of continued security crises indefinitely.

 A man; (Sheikh Muhammed Abdulazeez ibn Idris) who has identified himself as the commander of the islamist sect (Boko Haram) announced a cease fire January 29th urging members of the sect to lay down their arms. The speech read in hausa lasted about 10 minutes.

It is not clear if this means the Borno State government had prior discussions with the group. Speaking for the State Government, Isa Gusau did not confirm or deny such a meeting only that the State Governor had repeatedly called for peace talks.

Last year, a presidential aide said, the Federal Government will not dialogue with the sect calling them "faceless. It is yet to be heard if a dialogue will be held between the Federal Government and Boko Haram.
Lieutenant Sagir Musa, security force spokes person  identified Abdulazeez as Boko Haram's leader. he says, the announcement of cease fire by the sect does not mean they will be relaxed on their operations.

What comes to mind is the amnesty program the Federal Government offered the Niger-Delta militant groups and rehabilitation for members. while leaders of these groups were paid off, other members were enrolled in rehabilitation programs and reabsorbed into society.

Activists have said, it is understood if the Government is being careful to scrutinize the conditions the group has given; because this is  the first time anyone has appeared in the press claiming to be leader of the sect.
The Boko Haram insurgence started in 2009 and over 3000 people have been killed since then.
Most Nigerians are looking forward to an end to the spate of attacks and loss of innocent lives.

Nigerian Troops in Mali

Fighting's between foreign military forces and Islamists continue in Mali not without casualties.
Women and children are always the worse hit by conflicts and war situations.
The conflicts which started in 2012 did not gain much international attention until early 2013 when former colonial masters France decided the world had seen enough blood shed in the war torn country.
Many say the French may have won their push for the deployment of West African forces to the north African nation. The French now have about 1,400 troops in Mali and are hoping the number will increase to 2,500.
The former French colony is receiving military Aid in a peace keeping effort as the war continues. The African mission being lead by Nigeria has started giving support. One hundred Togolese soldiers arrived Bamako last thursday while a 900 man strong military troop including fighter jets; left Nigeria for Mali. Neighboring Benin, Ghana, Senegal and Burkina Faso have also pledged their support.
Since the French were pushing for African support they should be relieved by the arrival of the Nigerian contingent.
The UK and germany have given transport planes for logistic purposes.

Critics say the world is finally waking up to the war torn nation after ignoring the conflict for almost a year.

The crisis in Mali erupted after Islamist forces captured northern Mali the better part of last year; the group has since began it's advance to the south capturing small towns near Bamako the capital of Mali.

As the fighting's continue it is not far fetched what fate awaits the women and children in the regions worse hit. It is hoped this mission will provide for better life and well being for the weaker members of the Malian society.

''RIT has a cold''

Well the title might be familiar to some; I'm no Frank Sinatra, I may not be holding a bourbon or cigarette in hand at a fancy club in Beverly Hills; but I find myself in a similar situation 'having a cold'..
I remember reading Gay Talese's piece ''Frank Sinatra has a cold'' and saying to myself...one day someone will write about me..(not just having a cold)

Well, I'm writing and I have a cold that has lasted more than 7 days; the period for common cold is usually between seven to ten days..imagine my constant sniffing and coughing..even I am tired of it.  I haven't stopped carrying a big roll of tissue and Aboniki (soothing balm which I advise you rob to a handkerchief and sniff; don't apply to your skin..believe me I learnt the hard way) ..maybe i'm even the new nuisance.

 I have carried the stench of ginger and garlic after doing a marathon home remedy, I have lost a day at work from being drowsy on cough medicine and my tongue is sore from sucking on sweets and lozenges that promise fast relief. one of the days I even lost my voice for several hours; the mimicking and laughing just made me feel worse than I already did; and then someone thought I was pretending...(like I wanted to have a cold)
Like Sinatra, the common cold became so uncommon with me but I didn't get plunged into depression.

So I have a cold which is almost gone; looking back I saw all the symptoms and didn't address it in time; like other things in life. We see things that are a remedy for disaster and we ignore them only to be hunted when it blows..

I'm hoping my story's happy ending comes sooner than later...

2013

It finally started for me..
it's 2 weeks into the new year and it just started for me. As pathetic as you may think it sounds
(trust me, that's a good thing) The first 13 days I used settling how the rest of the year will go.

Having a plan always points you in a direction. I'm not one to make resolutions, I stopped after several years of routine and not keeping true to any. In recent years I have plied a different route; making conscious efforts at life improvements instead of thoughtless resolutions.

I was almost getting into routine mode but my better judgement told me 13 days effort cannot be put to waste; so I brace myself in an effort to make the most of this year of 'more than enough'.

So work resumes and all the annoying stuff too..I thought the 2 weeks away from everyone had given me time to adjust: the prying eyes, nose picking and loud gum chewing...hmmm I was wrong; it was as if the break never happened.This must be a test..am I seeing or hearing things cos I ought not to??!! Then i begin to rethink, maybe I need to start seeing things differently..

Often times the thought of us being the ones that need change is frightening, truth be told, change can only start with you.When one makes a conscious effort to change something it doesn't matter if those around don't change instantly...give them time I'm sure they'll get the cue.

It's my first post this year and I hope it won't sound 'complainy' (if there's a word like that) well I tried :D...
It's not too late to map out a strategy...15 days have gone by and you have 350 more to go.
Daily routines determine the quality of life you have... when you succeed at mastering 24 hours you can succeed at mastering 24 years. Take each day.