Invisible Children KONY 2012 and Ugandan Journalists - My thoughts

With the forthcoming American elections and all, when you see the first part of my title, you would think that was someone running for office, right? Well, you would be wrong. You may already have seen the video below or not, it has just gone viral in the last couple of days and was trending on Twitter. But as much as I think I'm plugged in, I missed it until Atala called my attention to it this morning. Kony is a rebel leader in Northern Uganda with a guerilla group under the name the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) and has been operating for the past almost 30 years now. Of course I've heard about them, either in books, fiction, or snatches in the news. Somehow, the leader's name never stuck. Until now. Thanks to the video below.

Christianity and Sex - What is a Young Lady to Do?

I got this email recently from a reader, and she agreed for me to share. Please forgive the text speak.

Myne, good evening. I'm writing cos I need advice from you. I'm a doctor in my mid-twenties, doing my NYSC. I wanna get wedded like almost all my friends, but I'm having some issues. I wanna ask you, when you met Atala, before the wedding, did you kiss and cuddle and  touch all the time?

I had a very good relationship which ended about 3yrs ago, and  the touching was part of the reason it gave way. We did almost everything but penetration, andI felt so guilty after each time. He knew, and tried to hold back but the sparks btw us alwaiz flew, andwe'd stl touchn and doing stuff. Finally, I told him not to visit me anymore, gave a flimsy reason then of writing my exams, and didn't want to be disturbed.

South Africa has apologized over Nigerian Deportations

From the tone of the South African Minister and the said apology, it seems Nigeria got the upper hand, and SA is eating humble pie, according to this report - South Africa apologizes over Nigerian deportations, faults airport health officials - The Washington Post,

I do hope that even as the two countries have ended the impasse, the Nigerian government, especially our Ministry of Health will come away with some lessons, and use this opportunity to beef up our Health Systems as regards vaccination and reporting and information systems. Maybe in future, some of us would be more wary of cutting corners too.

Setting up an eBook Publishing Company for a Target Audience

I got an email recently that said, Dear Myne,

I need information from you viz eBooks publishing and marketing. I recently set up a Publishing house [traditional publishing + self publishing + eBooks] and we are preparing for our first releases, a novel and a collection of short stories which we are publishing traditionally.

Lunar Love Giveaway Hop (US) - Book #2: Wild Justice

AND THE WINNER IS ELIZABETH OF BOOK ATTICK. CONGRATS!

This giveaway hop is hosted by I Am a Reader Not a Writer. Why Lunar Love? Well, March 8th is a Full Moon. Don't you just love the moon? Affecting everything from the tides of oceans, to the moods of women, and the muses of writers and readers. So yeah, several blogs are taking part, with lots of amazing gifts to be won by book lovers. Check the full list of participants. Entries close March 13, winner announced here on the 14th, and I'll send them an email soon after.

To enter - Leave a comment about a werewolf book or movie you've read/seen, and your email address.

When Foreign Relations Break Down - Nigeria and South Africa

 Unity and Faith - VS - Diverse People Unite 

I saw some of the discussions on one of my BB groups yesterday with someone making an aside comment going something like "South Africa must go" with reference to the GMG most of us are more familiar with. I wasn't sure exactly what was going on but it seems that tensions escalated overnight with Nigeria practicing a reciprocal or tit for tat model of diplomacy.

I hear that the South African Government threw the first punch when they deported more than 100 Nigerians (all the passengers in an Arik Air to SA flight - including a Senator) for having “fake Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificates”. The Nigerian Government retaliated by sending back 25 South Africans on all the incoming flights yesterday, the number has increased to 44 so far.

Faith that Moves Mountains - Woman Prays away Tornado

I couldn't help the goosebumps I had while watching this video. Maybe I wouldn't have stood outside like that, but yeah, I believe in that kind of faith and prayer. My heart goes out to the people who have lost friends and family, or their homes and business, to the rage of tornadoes sweeping across the USA.

May those who have died, rest in peace. Hope blogger peeps are doing OK. Take care, everyone.

Real Life Inspired my Books - Adauzo Uba (Guest Author)

Adauzo Ijeoma Uba is originally from Nigeria though born in London. When she remembers growing up in Enugu, she recalls lots of good memories. She schooled in the Eastern part of Nigeria where she comes from before moving with her husband to live in Lagos. She is currently in London studying to have her doctorate in counselling and psychology. She says she is a staunch Christian but tries not to discriminate against others. As much as possible she lives by the teachings of her faith which is unconditional love for all, and forgiveness. Adauzo has recently published three books to help in her counselling work and in this interview, she talks about the books and what inspires her.

She Was My First Love

Just like the queen of the night oozes its fragrance at night time, reminding it of a day that was beautiful and giving it hope of another beautiful tomorrow, so is this story of mine. A story of two young minds, finding a common understanding and appreciating the value of friendship, togetherness and love. Even though the forces of nature sometimes destroy the beauty of the world, we still appreciate the times that we were happy and thank God for giving us the good old memories to muse over and merry in.

The age was seven and the class was primary two. Significant things, difficult to forget happened that year. It was the first and only time I topped the class, it was the first and only time I won a prize and it was the first and only time I had an almost perfect friend and lost her.

Nollywood and Career Women - Married But Living Single

The promo for a new movie has started making the rounds and after watching the preview, I had to ask the question, is it so terrible for a woman to be ambitious in her career? Now, I know that career women everywhere face greater challenges in terms of work-life balance and probably the Nigerian career women is more of a new breed and this has made it even harder for her. However, I think our society has to begin to cut career women some slack, and actually start celebrating those who, though not perfect, are able to find a middle ground between work and family.

One of my problems with Nollywood is they're overly biased. And it galls me now that the so-called "New Nollywood" might not be much better. I don't know how many of you watch Nollywood, I do sometimes, and I can tell you that the preponderance of female roles are negative. From young prostitutes, to irresponsible mothers, to wicked mothers-in-Law, to old witches. Isn't art supposed to be a reflection of reality? New Nollywood may look good, but they have to stop this tradition of skewing the Nigerian reality if they intend to stay the course in standing out.

See the official trailer and Synopsis for Married but Living Single below.