"RONALDO SHOULDN'T HAVE DONE WHAT HE DID"- XABI ALONSO
Ronaldo’s red card saga during Real Madrid’s game against Athletic Bilbao yesterday evening is far from being over. Infact, it’s one of the most talked about football stories this week. Of course, it’s the current Ballon d’Or award recipient we are talking about here. Speaking to reporters about the incident; Xabi Alonso, Real midfielder said although the referee’s decision was uncalled for, the Portuguese should have controlled his temper.
“Cristiano shouldn’t have done what he did but it was not a sending-off. It was not aggression, Cristiano’s red was exaggerated, Gurpegui made the most of it. The crowd influenced the referee throughout the match. This always happens, it’s nothing new.”
Ronaldo has now received 8 red cards in his career. 4 red cards while playing for Man United, 4 while playing for Real Madrid and none for Portugal. Meanwhile, The Spanish Football Discipline Committee will meet on Wednesday morning to decide whether he is to be punished.
OPINION: PARENTING; A NECESSARY EVIL.
Often times I have heard parents refer to their kids as their best friends and vice versa, that just leaves me astonished considering the idea is alien to me, 1st because I didn’t experience it and secondly…you’ll find out as you read on. In avoidance of misunderstanding the noun parenting, I chose to look it up in a dictionary (Longman Dictionary of contemporary English). Parenting is the skill or activity of looking after your own children, as an activity I am made to understand it has no stop date. Hold up, I just heard someone ask “what does she even know about being a parent?” you’d be surprised how much one gets to know just by being an onlooker. During a conversation with a dear friend of mine, I was teasing him as usual and calling him “omo mummy” which could also mean “mummy’s pet” because he is the last child and his response gave a whole new meaning to this article that was already in the works.
Holding on too tight/ Letting go too soon:
“I am not mummy’s pet oo, if not why did she send me to boarding school?” the sound of resentment in his voice was almost 20years old. Years earlier a little kid was let go too soon, a parenting choice made for the good of their young son still had an impact on him years later but would he have preferred to be held onto tightly? The answer for me would be a big NO! I was shipped off to boarding school at the age of 10, very skinny little thing to fend for herself and thanks mom because that decision has moulded a strong independent woman who is on the verge of making an impact in life.
Are we even forgetting the torment parents go through when they have to let go? Only recently did I accompany my dad to drop off my kid brother who was starting JSS1 and as I watched his tiny physique disappear into the male hostel, I felt my eyes water and only then did I imagine the pain they must have felt having to do it over and over, with all 5 kids. Need I even talk about the financial implications?
They would be eating their cakes and having it if they choose for you to attend a day school. Another instance would be when Daddy walks his ‘little’ angel down the aisle; he isn’t ready and might never be but against his better judgment he releases her to a man he barely knows. Finding the balance between these 2 extremes puts the P in Parenting.
My Baby is all grown up!
Only yesterday was she in diapers, running around the house and you enjoying the sound of her little feet clapping against the floor. Now she’s all grown up and you have to give her sex education and watch her go out on dates, seems like you just blinked and all that happened…yet many parents try to rush this process.
Children are not allowed to have and enjoy their childhood anymore, I see kids under the ages of 3 wearing traditional attires and fixing weave-on, looking like adults in a baby’s body. These kids now watch whatever they choose and know more RnB songs than most of us adults do. I attended a 1year old birthday party some time back and when it was time for the kiddies dance competition, my jaw dropped to the floor (literally) because children were dancing in every manner that wasn’t suitable for them while their ‘proud’ parents watched and cheered them on. Underage marriage isn’t the only thing that robs children of their childhood, not letting them grow at their pace also does.
LOVE: Too much or too little?
Growing up I remember my mom being the ‘flogger’ (in fact I still remember the feel on her hands against my skin)*snaps back to reality* which might be perceived as less love while my dad never raised a finger on me. Many years later it turns out I am closer to mom than I am to dad. This just goes to validate the Good book that says “spare the rod and spoil the child”.
The rod may not necessarily be literal; it just means a parent should be firm and by that should also be ready to be accused of less love by the child, like I did my mom instead of spoiling him and showing ‘more love’. Learn to say no to your kids, they would thank you later for not giving them ice-cream each time they asked for it, or stopping them from picking out the vegetable because it didn’t taste good. You are the adult, you know better. Later when the irony unfolds of who showed more or less love, you should be able to pat yourself at the back for a job well done.
Parenting is a necessary evil, evil because your kids may not like what you do half the time but because you are the adult who can see what they can’t see even when they climb the iroko tree, you just have to patiently wait for realization to hit them. Our children are the leaders of tomorrow, the role you play today would determine the kind of leaders they become. I pray God gives you the grace to be a good parent…Amen
WAEC INTRODUCES PAINTING, DECORATING, PHOTOGRAPHY AND 36 OTHER SUBJECTS
My first reaction was that the idea is a joke taken too far, some students are still struggling to pass the available ones and then 39 additional ones??? but I read and then realized they mean well. So, before you lash out at the people behind this, kindly read first. Well, it’s still going to face a lot of criticisms.
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has introduced 39 new subjects in its examinations. The announcement was made during the council’s monthly seminar held on January 31st, 2014. The 39 subjects which fall into two categories; Electives (4) and Trades (35) would commence in this year’s May/June West African Senior School Certificate Examination. Speaking on the new initiative, The Council’s Acting Head, Test Development Division, Mrs. Olayinka Ajibade said it’s in accordance with the Nigerian Education Research and Development Council’s (NERDC) new secondary school curriculum.
“The implementation of the new SSCE curricula began in September 2011, meaning that the maiden public examinations based on the new/ revised curricula are expected to be held in May/ June 2014. Each WASSCE syllabus is derived from the senior secondary education curriculum. In addition to the 39 new subjects for which NERDC engaged in curriculum development, curriculum review was also carried out for 35 existing subjects.”
Students would be required to take four core subjects (English Language, General Mathematics, Civic Education and Trade/ Entrepreneurial Studies) and four other subjects from Humanities, Science, Technology and Business Studies depending on their interest. Subjects in the Electives category include Computer Studies, Insurance, Store Management and Office Practice- while Painting and Decorating, Photography, Salesmanship, Plumbing and Pipe Fitting, Upholstery etc fall in the Trades category.
Source: PUNCH
PHOTOS: BBC HOLDS MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR KOMLA DUMOR
A memorial service in honour of Komla Dumor, the revered Ghanaian journalist who died on January 18, 2014 from heart attack in his London home was held by British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on saturday February 1, 2014. The event which took place at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, London, UK, was attended by family, friends and colleagues of the BBC presenter.
A native of Aflao in the Volta Region of Ghana, until his death, he was the Lead Presenter on “Focus On Africa” and BBC World News’ European morning segment. Komla, who was named the 9th most powerful man in Africa by Forbes just few days ago, obtained a BA in Sociology and Psychology from the University of Ghana and then proceeded to Harvard University for a Masters in Public Administration. He joined BBC as a radio broadcaster in 2007. He used to host Network Africa for BBC World Service radio and then joined The World Today programme. He became the first host of Africa Business Report on BBC World News.
Meanwhile a Komla Dumor Foundation; set up to promote excellence in journalism and sustain his legacy by pursuing plans he had for promoting the ideals that he stood and worked for has been set up by family and friends. His remains will arrive in Ghana this morning. He is survived by his wife, Kwansema, three children; Elinam, Elorm and Araba and siblings.
May his soul continue to find repose. Amen.
CHAN 2014: EJIKE UZOENYI NAMED MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
FORBES' 10 MOST POWERFUL MEN IN AFRICA 2014: 3 NIGERIANS MAKE THE CUT
(1). Simdul Shagaya: Entrepreneur, Founder of Konga.com and DealDey.com (Nigeria)
(2). Chinedu Echeruo: Entrepreneur & Founder of Hopstop.com and Tripology.com (Nigeria)
(3). Kola Karim: Group Managing Director and CEO, Shoreline Energy
International. (Nigeria)
(4). January Makamba: Deputy Minister of Communication, Science & Technology and Member of Parliament (Tanzania)
(5). Ashish Thakkar: Founder and MD, Mara Group, Mara Foundation and Mara
Online (Uganda)
(6). Mamadou Toure: Founder and Executive Director, Africa 2.0 (Cameroon)
(7). Amadou Mahtar Ba: Founder and CEO African Media Initiative (Senegal)
(8). Ben Magara: Chief Executive Officer
and Director of Lonmin (Zimbabwe)
(9). Komla Dumor: Lead Presenter on "Focus On Africa" and BBC World News' European morning segment (Ghana)
(10). Mohammed Dewji, Tanzania, Group CEO Mohammed Enterprises Tanzania
Limited (Tanzania)
OPE AYEOLA'S KIDS ARE SO ADORABLE
Another era that has come to stay is that of celebrities sharing pictures of their kids on various social media. Actress, Ope Ayeola-Owolonse whose face has been scarce in movie scenes for some time now as a result of her relocation to the UK is back with a bang; well, according to an interview she granted recently. Her kids are so adorable.
WISHING YOU A SUPER-FRUITFUL FEBRUARY
February is widely believed to be a month of celebration of love. Show love to the deserving and undeserving, eschew hate, plant a smile on someone's face and most importantly be good. No matter what life has offered you, No matter how rocky and rough your journey has been, let your hope be always hinged on the fact that All will be well and your story will soon change for good! Peace!!!
Adore you all!
OSAZE ODEMWINGIE SURPRISES PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED FRIEND
God bless his heart! Newly-signed Stoke City footballer, Osaze Peter Odemwingie on January 29, 2014 planted a smile on his physically challenged friend and supporter as he gave him a motor wheelchair gift. (I hope cash gift followed sha). The guy, fondly called New Yorker fought back tears and prayed as he received the unexpected gift from the Nigerian international.