Darfur = Global Warming

I wasn't aware that the argument he criticizes Ban Ki-Moon for making was either widespread or threatening to his own.

Remittance Data

Hi Sarah,

I've found this chart - so far haven't found anything on the newspaper sites themselves. Looks like the bulk of the money is coming from workers in the US (but I've read the UK elsewhere). Nigeria is one of the top 5 recipients.

Pop Stars

Well, that is one thing about him, he is so nice, and he knows how a woman feels. Whenever he knows he has stayed away for long, he comes around even if it is for four days just to see me, so I am fine by that. Actually I never use to like men before. It’s not like I am a lesbian, so I can cope with that. Though, it hurts sometimes when I see a guy and a girl having fun, it hurts. I can’t cheat on him. I am not trying to sound so faithful. I’d rather let go than cheat and since I can’t do that I’d rather wait for him.

What's up with these interviews???????

Failing to Remit

Hey--note to self--it is interesting to keep tabs on remittance flows in the countries we look at. If you pass by any articles on this please post them! DeGracias

Sorry Cats

Ive been uber busy this month. will jump on the next one i promise.

p.s. how do you put them purty pictures and videos into the blog.

Nigeria Trying to Kick the Habit

Gosh, Pittsburgh isn't even on the smoking ban bandwagon yet. The Nigerian government is suing some major companies for $44 billion, and now trying to boot tobacco factories. WHO Convention on Tobacco Control calls for 1/3 of label space dedicated to health info.

Obasanjo Family Saga

It's a little tough to unpack all the history and characters of the outgoing president's life, but based on the various scandals, including incest, he was probably on the darker side of shady.

My Pipeline

"As we all know, we own the blood-net work in our body, so should we as of right and justice own and control the God-given deposits and landmasses."

Post-Nigeria Party Planning

Anyone down for screening some films about Nigeria at the end of our three weeks?

Eye-popping headline

I thought it was pretty crazy that the government had allocated "N1.5 million for paying for the reading glasses of presidential aides domiciled in the State House" until I read how many blind people there are in Nigeria.

The Gas Flaring Problem

Looks like the Yar'Adua administration has pushed back the deadline to end gas flaring in Nigeria. An editorial in the Guardian has this to say:

The practice of gas flaring is unimaginative and ultimately harmful to the long-term interests of the nation. Nigeria flares about 2.5 million metric cubic feet of gas daily. The World Bank calculates the losses at over $2.5 billion annually. ... Nigeria with its huge population cannot afford to take a myopic view of the future by basking in the glow of crude oil sales whilst at the same time neglecting the associated gas which will ultimately outlive oil as the mainstay of our economy.

This is a big climate change and pollution and health problem. Of course, on all my Chinatown bus rides up I-95 I've noticed several American companies still flare.

Daily Sun, King of the Tabloids

Is it just me? I have a sneaking suspicion that this newspaper didn't actually interview this woman, but just wrote out some answers she might have said.

Oh, God, just a little help.

Newspaper Titles

These are the most uplifting newspaper and journal titles I have ever seen!

Nigeria Topped Happiness Ratings in 2003

"The researchers for World Values Survey described the desire for material goods as 'a happiness suppressant.'"