THE POWER OF BLOGGING: NAIROBI’Z BLOGAZINE FEATURES IN A MEDIA AND ART RESEARCH IN AFRICA PROJECT…

Thursday 15^th august, 2013 saw something go down in the history of our blog that was a blessing to us. I have written on this platform; so many times that, we are more than a blessed and a favored blog!

A couple of days before this day, I received an email from a friend; Ms Bettina Ng’weno; whose story we have featured in this blog (http://bukhungubukhanga.blogspot.com/2013/08/city-park-peoples-park-saved-through.html).

She asked me to help her her colleague professor who wa flying into the country; doing a research on media and arts in Africa  The email read:

Hi Vincent,

I have a visitor in town who would love to meet you.  She is an academic, originally from Nigeria and is a colleague of mine at the University of California, Davis in the USA.  She studies popular culture, literature, youth and media and the arts in Africa and is visiting for 2 weeks.  She is super interested in your blogazine and the whole blog, twitter scene here in Kenya.  Would you have time to meet up?  Perhaps we could catch lunch or tea or something?  Let me know if you have time this week

Thanks

Bettina

It was a great honor then to meet professor Moradewun Adejunmobi; all the way from the University of California Davis; where she heads African American and Afrcan studies.

We met at PAWA254; which was appropriate and convenient since they mentor creative on fusing art and media. We then did a research tour of Nairobi’s Silicon Valley- The I-Hub centre on Ngong Road.

The talks did shed light that; in many ways, technology is making us better, faster and stronger.

We have more information; more communication ; more art being produced-reaching-an ever-increasing number of people.

A big part of the challenge for media today is to harness and interpret the floods of information washing in on our shores, picking what's most relevant for the reader; audience and listener.

When the whole world is trying to tell you something at the same time, you need someone to help you find te significant voices, or everything becomes noise.

In this world of arts and culture, this is more relevant than ever. Every writer has an a outlet on his/ her blog- the audience of millions just being only a mouse- click away.

To date; ‘gatekeepers’ of “quality” are more relevant than ever. Traditional media needs to rise to this challenge, focusing on quality content that has the power to enhance the lives of its readers. As a blog, we strive to be one of those gatekeepers; to the best of our abilities, and each day keep shining the spotlight on the best and brightest of what Nairobi has to offer.

And , while the world keeps moving faster, we treasure the moments where you can lose yourself with your mouse clicks in the blog pages.

PAUL “THE GENTLEMAN”TERGAT JOHNNIE WALKS WITH GIANTS

2012 saw world athletics record holder Paul Tergat named to the Johnnie Walker Whiskey’s hall of fame which shares and celebrates the life stories of some of the world’s most inspirational men through the global ‘Walk With Giants’ campaign.

 The campaign; featuring the brand’s iconic striding man, celebrates individuals who can be considered “Giants” in their fields and who share their personal stories to inspire others to take the next step on their personal journey and calling.

43 year old Tergat is respected globally for his exploits on the tracks and is one of the marathon legends across the world. He is a five-time world marathon champion who between 2003 and 2007; held the world marathon record.

Reacting to his recognition as a Johnnie Walker “Giant”, he said; “it is humbling that the story of my life can be used to inspire people across Africa and the world.”

The long distance runner becomes the first East African ‘Giant’ and the 5^th one from Africa after fellow athletics legend Haile Gabrselassie from Ethiopia; entrepreneur Prince Kofi Amoabeng from Ghana; musician Manu Dibango from Cameroon; retired soccer player Samson Siasia from Nigeria.

They go ahead to join other ‘Giants’ from beyond the continent: business magnate Richard Branson; formula one world champions, Lewis Hamilton an Jenson Button; advertising creative, John Hegarty; fashion designer, Ozwald Boateng and explorers Ranulph Fiennes an Amyr Klink.

Johnnie Walker is the world’s most awarded scotch whisky brand and is globally renowned for the Red Label blend- the most popular premium scotch whisky in the world and Black Label; the bestselling 12-yeara old blend as well as their collection of rare super-premium blends.

-Additional insights from the East African Breweries Limited (EABL)-www.eabl.com

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY AFRICA’S HANGOUT BLOG

 

May marks one year since I started this blog! For me; it has been a great journey of writing; growing and I pray; as a reader to the blog; the story is the same for you too.

I feel it is a good time to take stock. From just 2 hits; on the very first day we started; to an entry of over 1,000 hits by the third month; indeed God has been good to us.

Much like a company that expands too quickly; we also have to be careful that as a blog we do not become a victim of our own success.

The purpose of this blog was to have an all-African on each page site- a chill spot for Africans. That will not cease even after today; when we revamp this blog to a more hip; hype and fun blog.

That is why we have decided to change the name to NAIROBI’Z BLOGAZINE- which is street or sheng for “owned by Nairobi”- and the concept of a new term blogazine-“where blogging meets magazine.”

This one year journey has been a straight road to this one gleaming moment in time and destiny. We remain committed to telling our stories; the African stories- whether Nairobi city’s stories or any other place in Africa because that is what we build this blog on.

I still remind you; this blog has never had any followers; but it has a family. We are a family-we are a tribe!

We usher in a new age of writing! We want to do what we do best and have done in the past- and that is delivery with force and valve. Today; we tell yet again our story- a grand tale of victory.

Today; we usher in a future brighter that anything we can imagine. Cheers to victory!

A BOOK FOR CHANGE CAMPAIGN:

Shalom. Dear treasured friend; I greet you! Sometimes everything in life can change in a moment. Have you ever experienced that? Probably. I bet you have! Have you seen life change suddenly with one event…on one day…in a single moment?

Maybe it was when you got married; held your baby for the first time; saw your dream fulfilled; or made a big decision. These are all life changing moments.

I’m writing to tell you about such a moment in my life. I want to share with you because I believe it can be our moment together. On a missions trip to Kiambu town; I saw something I will never forget. It was an experience that both broke my heart and though I have been adamant; in a way God is now stirring me into action.

I found myself talking to young minds about life; making it in life and believing in their dreams. But despite all this; this little school in the heart of Kiambu County has not known any library.

For some of the pupils; counting one to ten in English was a big problem. Constructing a sentence and having them speak it fluently; was asking too much.

These children- many orphaned and stained by the society; still see hope of someday making it in this harsh world. Shocked and horrified; I thought; this is wrong; somebody should do something.

God is so full of humor. At such times when you think somebody needs to rise up; he hits you; “that somebody is you Vincent!” and this has been my moment. I have tried to shun away that voice but it keep calling to me so strongly. I can stand by and do nothing or; I can act!

My life in ministry has taught me we can and we must do more! The Bible is full of people so ordinary who decided to do more- regular people like you and me who simply responded to a moment that changed their lives. Moses had a moment; Ruth had a moment; David had a moment; the apostle Paul had a moment. Each of these people saw a need; heard God’s voice; and were motivated to act.

And that’s where I believe I am today and where I wish you too would join me.

This is our moment. A time such as this; an opportunity before you and me. There is a need, and we have a chance to act.

As I write today; I feel deep in my heart that God wants me to start a campaign for collecting books and reading materials that we will donate to Tumaini Brooks Centre. It’s a secondary and primary school combined together institution.

We are rallying donation of books that we have stored at home. But there is no limit in this ministry. If you heart is simply to give wherever the need is the greatest; then go ahead.

The needs are great; and I am confident that as we partner together; we will continue to make a difference in people’s lives. I want to thank you in advance for your love and generous support. Let’s not wait another day. Let’s act now. You and I are the “somebody’s” who can help the hurting and hungry people who are waiting for their moment.

One of my “moments” happened in that school of hope in Kiambu. Wherever you find yourself reading this letter today, perhaps your moment is happening right now. God is showing you a need; He is showing you hurting people. And when you give to help the hurting- I can speak from experience- your life will never be the same.

Thank you for joining me in this moment.

Offering hope to the hopeless;

Embukane Vincent Libosso.

For more information; call +254(0) 716 659 166; email: vlibosso@yahoo.com or find us on Facebook: Snyder family ministries.

THANKYOU YOUNG NATION: THE STUDENT IS NOW READY

Receive greetings from the son of the oracles. From my little room, pinned on my wall is an archived newspaper dated Sunday April 18^th 2010. In a short while I will tell you the importance of that date and the story behind it. That was the same day I had my first by-line if I may say, on a national newspaper detailing my one week experience as a guest writer with the Young Nation.

Back then, I was just a young Form Four student from Pumwani High School in Eastlands but one with a passion of one day becoming an investigative journalist.

For now, I want to thank the Young Nation for the opportunity to be nurtured under their incubator and learn under their wings.

Go ahead and search for that newspaper. There I wrote about an ancient Zen proverb that states; “when the student is ready, the teacher will appear.”

Today, I stand before you to raise your spirits and encourage all the Young people who have dreams and believe in their dreams. I will examine the 4 key words in the Zen proverb.

STUDENT: be a student and stay open, and willing to learn from everyone and anyone. For me, being at Young Nation desk proved that being a student of life, means you have room fro new input. As young people; the call is upon us to avoid the pride and curse of being experts and realize that every single person in your lifetime has something to teach you.

READY: be a willing student. Ready means willing. Genuinely, authentically willing. Look for authentic opportunities out there that are in line with your dreams and passion in life.

TEACHER: teachers in life appear in various forms and your willingness makes the teacher able to assist you. Being a communication student at the university, I fondly remember what I learnt at Young Nation because I refused to ignore the teacher but embrace my pen and notebook and jotted down everything. Your teacher can be anything. I believe it might be a child who takes you by the hand and asks you a question that you hadn’t considered before, and your answer to the child is your answer to yourself.

APPEAR: the teacher is making an appearance in everything and everyone you encounter. When the homeless person with his soiled presence and outstretched hand reminds you of your need to be merciful, the teacher has appeared.

Anyway, as I was saying. Never take for granted any opportunity presented on your way. I am sure Young Nation will be inviting young guest writers because that is their tall order and if you are given that opportunity, grab it like a rugby ball and make that try.

I gracefully cover these pages with gratitude to all the great people I met while I was there. You are more that friends. You are family. From Madam Editor Liz Gitonga to designers like Nzissa Mulli and Andrew “omwami” Anini. The list is indeed endless. I can’t forget Mr. Eric Shimoli, who gave me a grand opportunity to cover a field story in the company of Mr. Bonyo at the business desk.

To my fellow youths who believe in their dreams, the Son of Oracles expects that you will enumerate the lessons you want to leave. Duty. Glory. Honor. Hope. And that you will not play with the memoirs of your sacred dreams, visions and hopes.

Finally, what will change or kill your dream are the little things we do. You can choose to ignore the sentiments of the people that glide before your eyes everyday. Or, you can be a penchant that thrives because you chose to listen. The choice is indeed ours. And so may the Good Lord help us all!

Young Nation, for me and a legion more, we watch from a far with our pens in hand. You are a beacon of hope and encouragement to the young nation and generation of Kenya. The Son of Oracles vows to keep you company throughout.

To my fellow dreamers; let us rise up and strike the darkness of hopelessness.

Cheers.

-by Embukane Vincent Libosso, communication student at Daystar University and blogger at Africa’s Hangout Blog.

POETIC LICENSE:I AM TIRED OF POETRY

My pen refuses to stop
I get so twisted and I am laid bare
of all the themes I wear
of all the ideas I share
My poetic wit disobeys my orders
Poetry stop please, you are killing me

I am in a state of poignancy
I pity myself
I loathe my gift
Poetry is evil
But Plato disagrees
He claims 'the poet's job is to bear witness'
And I witness that 'witnessing' is tough
I am tired of poetry
I am tired of poetry
It is to me belligerent
It sneers on my energy
Who will save me from myself
I am baffled by its effect on me
All I want is more poetry
Reading one leads to the next

I am disturbed by the comfort others find
I write and someone calls me 'sweet'
I am told I inspire
I am told I am 'set to be' Shakespeare'
Words; words fill my mind
My pen is always on its duty
Traverssing the lonely pages of my books
I am blind and cant see my soul is dying
I milk it daily/ I beg for complete surrender

The BIBLE or QURAN all poetic
All God's prophets were poets
Please, please, I am no prophet
I receive no divine light
Poetry please release my mind
Experiences please block any inspiration
I am tired of poetry
Its disease i get no cure
Poerty let me percieve
Your words let me not receive
For I always believe
Without you I cant live

I see and hear writers perform
some good, others do great injustice 
to your name poetry- they cant form
I am called mystical, satirical, romantic...
I am none of this,
I deserve not even the name "poet"
I am ashamed at my writing
I am ashamed of you poetry

I encipher diatribes into your mailbox
Hoping that you'll desert me
Because I promise if you remain
I'll strip you naked
I'll expose all your forms
And you will suffer from my pen's wrath
I'll decapitate you completly
Poetry is fire, a fire that burns me
In light or night it opens my sight
I am tired that I cant even sleep
I seek no apologies or reconcilliation
For poetry to me is 'me'

Eddy Ongili
PenAftermath©

Edmund Ongili describes himself as:I AM a poet, married to words. i love the feeling poetry evokes in me. poetry is fire and poetry is me

i seek to learn and grow till i reach perfection. i am humbled and a lover of critics, they help me grow. 

 

find him on facebook-http://www.facebook.com/eongili?fref=ts