Of course we must give thanks for the gift of life and the privilege of making it this far as individuals, as families, as communities and as nations. Glory to God!
We have to also reflect on our lives and our times. Today is a poor image of what our world should be, isn't it? Those who should know know. Those who should act don't. So we are ending the year 2010 with unfinished business almost willfully!
You may go round the globe in panoramic despair for all the examples you wish, and you will reap more. Not too long ago, we had long lists of hopes and expectations. Today, the lists are longer! And it is so in all nations.
World leaders, please do something!
Showing posts with label UN and World Poverty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UN and World Poverty. Show all posts
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
UNFAIR World: California Fires and Nigeria's Niger Delta Disaster
As we condole and commiserate with the prosperous US state of California and its traumatised and distraught citizens, especially residents of the fire-ravaged counties, we must reflect on our times and our texture. The richest state in the richest nation on earth is suffering the wildest and harshest forest fires on record! The toll is mounting and the trauma is brimming. May God help California!
You know what? As CNN's legend, Larry King, reminded us starkly the other night - quoting JFK - "Life is unfair!". California and its humane governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, have been on the front lines of environmental protection and in the vanguard of getting America onto the climate change/global warming action train. Hollywood has been a key partner in the global crusade, and has promoted and spoken up for world peace, human rights and banishing poverty. California has been good to immigrants, and is at once pro-women, pro-culture and modernist! With these wildfires, how so unfair!!!
Brings us to another unfair share of a nation's black gold, and even more grisly share of human and environmental degradation. Where else than my native Nigeria, and its now-very notorious Niger Delta Region! Noted worldwide as volatile and violent these days, with many negative and some offensive "Travel Advisories" from benefiting nations, you are struck by the unfairness of both nature & nation, in the abject poverty and untold suffering so visited upon the oil-rich land!
After sacrificing so much for an ungrateful country, it hurts to be the butt of consumer-mockery and operators' oppression as the Niger Deltans now endure!
California and da Niger Delta give so much to both their nations and the world. They should not be this pained. Not by nature, not by nation, not by man. As Governor Schwarzenegger stated at his joint press conference with the US president, "follow-through" with promises is da key. If we all learn from the Tsunamis, the Earthquakes and Katrina, this point must resound!
Thank you to all the fire-fighters, security operatives, first responders and the media for all the good work done in California. Kudos to President Bush for his prompt actions and his emotional official visit to the zone. As for the governor, you can't have a better man. Well done Gov!
In closing, we must ask others to learn from the horrors and humanity of the California Fires; even as we challenge both the Nigerian authorities and the consuming world to promptly and humanely revisit, and remedy, the Niger Delta Question!
Life is truly...UNFAIR!!!
You know what? As CNN's legend, Larry King, reminded us starkly the other night - quoting JFK - "Life is unfair!". California and its humane governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, have been on the front lines of environmental protection and in the vanguard of getting America onto the climate change/global warming action train. Hollywood has been a key partner in the global crusade, and has promoted and spoken up for world peace, human rights and banishing poverty. California has been good to immigrants, and is at once pro-women, pro-culture and modernist! With these wildfires, how so unfair!!!
Brings us to another unfair share of a nation's black gold, and even more grisly share of human and environmental degradation. Where else than my native Nigeria, and its now-very notorious Niger Delta Region! Noted worldwide as volatile and violent these days, with many negative and some offensive "Travel Advisories" from benefiting nations, you are struck by the unfairness of both nature & nation, in the abject poverty and untold suffering so visited upon the oil-rich land!
After sacrificing so much for an ungrateful country, it hurts to be the butt of consumer-mockery and operators' oppression as the Niger Deltans now endure!
California and da Niger Delta give so much to both their nations and the world. They should not be this pained. Not by nature, not by nation, not by man. As Governor Schwarzenegger stated at his joint press conference with the US president, "follow-through" with promises is da key. If we all learn from the Tsunamis, the Earthquakes and Katrina, this point must resound!
Thank you to all the fire-fighters, security operatives, first responders and the media for all the good work done in California. Kudos to President Bush for his prompt actions and his emotional official visit to the zone. As for the governor, you can't have a better man. Well done Gov!
In closing, we must ask others to learn from the horrors and humanity of the California Fires; even as we challenge both the Nigerian authorities and the consuming world to promptly and humanely revisit, and remedy, the Niger Delta Question!
Life is truly...UNFAIR!!!
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Sorry to the friendly people of Hawaii, USA, on the very disruptive earthquake some hours ago. Thank God no loss of lives, as we understand it, and goodluck with the clean-up and longer term solutions to the problem.
Now, we do not want a replay of Hurricane Katrina - in terms of federal support - do we? The governor has declared a statewide emergency/disaster status. Let all hands get on deck, right away. And let no one be left behind or short-changed. Insurance companies, BEWARE! - no dodging, please.
While on this subject, what is the world doing about victims of other natural disasters, including the poor souls in Pakistan? The world media should please return to them, and bring us up to date on our dismal records as a Global Village. Winter is here: what happens to the displaced??
You know what? We have more than enough evidence now that in ALL emergency/disaster situations, it is the POOR and VULNERABLE that get hit the most. Which is no news, right? But the kick in the teeth is that this happens irrespective of whether they be in developing or developed nations! That is depressing.
Which is why we welcome the historic preparatory leeway he gains as the UN General Assembly finally confirmed Ban Ki-Moon as its scribe, virtually 3 months to official take-up on 1 January 2007. Which is also why Mr Ban should take World Poverty so serious that it must be tackled frontally anywhere and everywhere.
From 2007, the UN must have functional presence in ALL countries....EVERY country.
Now, we do not want a replay of Hurricane Katrina - in terms of federal support - do we? The governor has declared a statewide emergency/disaster status. Let all hands get on deck, right away. And let no one be left behind or short-changed. Insurance companies, BEWARE! - no dodging, please.
While on this subject, what is the world doing about victims of other natural disasters, including the poor souls in Pakistan? The world media should please return to them, and bring us up to date on our dismal records as a Global Village. Winter is here: what happens to the displaced??
You know what? We have more than enough evidence now that in ALL emergency/disaster situations, it is the POOR and VULNERABLE that get hit the most. Which is no news, right? But the kick in the teeth is that this happens irrespective of whether they be in developing or developed nations! That is depressing.
Which is why we welcome the historic preparatory leeway he gains as the UN General Assembly finally confirmed Ban Ki-Moon as its scribe, virtually 3 months to official take-up on 1 January 2007. Which is also why Mr Ban should take World Poverty so serious that it must be tackled frontally anywhere and everywhere.
From 2007, the UN must have functional presence in ALL countries....EVERY country.
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