THE QUINTESSENTIAL PRESIDENT

THE QUINTESSENTIAL PRESIDENT

My blog post today is to celebrate Africa's brightest star, President Barack Obama, on his fulfillment of one of his electoral promises- the legitimization of illegal immigrants in the US. After much debacle and endless irresolution of US Senate to pass the Executive Bill pending on the issue, President Obama was 'compelled' to use an Executive Order to make his wish become law and forthwith, over 4 million immigrants who have stayed in the US for over five years, without a criminal record, will be given legal status, once they fulfill other conditions precedent.

The essence of this proclamation to me is reflected in the speech the President gave to explain his reasons for making the order to the American people. According to him, it is only fair that the US be accountable to the law abiding people who lives in it, albeit illegally. It is a demonstration of one of the principles on which America was built- that is, their accommodating spirit and heterogeneity. After strengthening the porosity of US Borders to discourage illegal entry by immigrants, President Obama felt it right and expeditious to bypass the Senate in making the Executive Order and I join the rest of the world to salute his courage and adulate his Presidential Foresight.

With this proclamation, my cousins and Uncles and Aunts and friends who were formerly holed up in the US; being without papers to move around freely, will now have the opportunity to be free in the Land of Liberty- God's Own Country. Now they can attend weddings and burials in Naija and still return back to the States where they make their quality daily bread. God bless President Obama for having the heart that feels for the masses. It will be long before America will have another President like him-a quintessential President.

Cheers!!

Aluta continua,

Wale Owoeye Esq.

PS: I want to use this medium to also congratulate Lionel Messi (Leo) on his record breaking achievement in La Liga. Legendary Leo- wishing him more years and laurels to achieve for Barcelona.

Hip Hop Is Alive

Hip Hop Is Alive

Growing up, I listened to hip hop music and its effect on my mental development is still felt today. I remember being introduced to rap music and R&B by my older brother, who made me feel the rhythm of black art and who explained the metaphors behind their catchy lines and tropes. I am talking about early 90's up till late in the decade. I loved the sound of Boyz II Men, R.kelly, TLC, Tupac, KRS 1, Heavy D, Nas, Wu Tang and other purveyors of the art.

Decades on, I still enjoy hip hop music and R& B but only that the art has become somewhat diluted. Now the sound is watery and commercialized and the rap itself is not as metaphorical as it used to be. What will bring back the sound of yester years when Biggie Smalls 'lived for the funk' or 2pac wanted us to 'picture him rolling'. Such fabulous masterpieces we never seem to hear again in this age of auto tune and codeine high rappers.

Consolation today comes from the fact that Hip Hop is still alive in new age artists like Kendrick Lamar, Wiz Khalifa, and other up coming artists with flair for the spoken word. Perhaps with them and the legacy laid down by the fathers of rap and R&B, the soul of the Negro, once reposed in the art form later accepted all over the world will live on for the coming generations to enjoy and appreciate.
Black History lives on in urban music. Enjoy it.

Aluta continua

Wale Owoeye Esq.        

Caramel (For Kiya Slick Minelli)

Caramel

Your eyes delight me

Like a magic

Its light allures me

That I could hardly think

Is it made of jewel

Like diamond or jade

I wonder

Attracted by its light

Wish I could see you

And look into your eyes

For they delight me

For your eyes

I will cross the seven seas

Aluta Continua,

Wale Owoeye Esq.

PS: I wrote this poem for a friend I met on fb. Her eyes overwhelm me...

SA at 20

SOUTH AFRICA AT 20

It gives me great pleasure and joy to celebrate with South Africa their 20 years of democracy. The Orange Country has suffered much in the two decades journey to where they are today; a sterling example of democracy founded on justice, truth and development. The dream of democratic South Africa is a feat that many believed would never be achieved, but with the resilience and forbearance of the South African people, they proved their detractors wrong, staying together in unity for 20 good years.

What made this miracle possible? South Africa, after the apartheid, had a vision articulated by the leaders of the struggle, spearheaded by late Nelson Mandela. He was the one, who as the first democratically elected president of the country, laid the foundation of equity, unity and justice that the new republic fostered on. It was Madiba who felt the need for forgiveness and reconciliation, in spite of the anguish of apartheid on black people of South Africa; and as the first black leader to rule the newly united nation, he promoted unity of purpose, of patriotism, of development which made the country into a leader in Africa politics. Mandela made South Africa and the nation prospered under him and long after he left the seat of government.

So in 20 years of democracy in South Africa, we should ask, is there really anything to celebrate about the Orange Country? My answer is a BIG YES! South Africa is free and democratic. This means that the people of the country, formerly under siege, now have a chance to determine their national destiny by voting their leaders and those to steer their national ship in the stormy waters of world politics.

It also a joyous occasion because the coming generation of South African children now have a country they can call their own, where they can go to school without a barricade or threat of guns and live normal life like their brothers around the world. We will continue to pay homage to the leaders of thought that fought to wrest South Africa from apartheid, praying that the legacies they left will remain indelible and that the institutions they built will last many centuries to come. I wish the Orange Country many more years to celebrate democracy and development.

Aluta continua.

 Wale Owoeye Esq.

PS: To my friends who love poetry I recommend my latest book to you. Titled MANDELA-IN MEMORIAM, the book is a collection that celebrates the man called Mandela, written to honour his memory for all time…

PORT HARCOURT BOOK FESTIVAL 2014

PH BOOK FESTIVAL 2014

I am excited to know Port Harcout will again be hosting UNESCO World Book Capital for this year, taking it from Bangkok as the host city. This is a happy development in a country and a place where it is believed that people generally do not read. Nigeria, the giant of Africa, who once prided itself as a vibrant intellectual nation with super brains to boast of in personalities like Chinua Achebe, Ben Okri, Flora Nwapa and the first black Nobel Laurette, Prof Wole Soyinka who will be giving key note address for the festival.

As an author and a publisher I am happy that Nigeria is hosting the intellectual world to celebrate intellectual properties and the love of books. I hope to be in Port Harcourt to participate in the august event and I hope to see you there. I still believe that modernity and civilisation is created in art first before it is becomes a living history in cities around the world. Let's read books. Readers are leaders.

Aluta continua,
Wale Owoeye Esq.  

DONGOU- A CAMEROONIAN PRODIGY

DONGOU- A CAMEROONIAN PRODIGY

I was very happy sometime ago when I saw the African starlet, Jean Marie Dongou, play with Barcelona senior team in a league match. As a Barca fan I have monitored the development of this young man, right from his time of playing for the junior team (Barca B) up to the present when he earned a jersey in the formidable and star studded Barcelona team. Talented, focused and driven, Dongou is a sterling example of a Young African Pioneer representing the continent abroad and making us proud in Spain like his forbear in the game and team Samuel Etoo once did.

Jean Marie Dongou, 18, is a Cameroonian who got to FC Barcelona in 2008 through Samuel Etoo Foundation established to nurture young talented footballers and to promote them internationally. After his induction into FC Barcelona Academy at 13 years, Dongou proved himself a destiny child by performing excellently in the junior league; playing with heart and passion, winning laurels for his team and himself. His diligence fetched him promotion in the hierarchy of the team. Already bracing to step in the great shoes of Samuel Etoo, this young African player is a star to watch out for in the newly emerging football horizon, sure to make Africans proud.

Samuel Etoo must be commended for his foresight in building the Samuel Etoo Foundation which gave young people like Dongou an opportunity to shine with their invested talents. If only we could have more footballers who have made money and name for themselves in international football replicate this initiative, then I'm positive we will see more stars fly the African flags in international football competitions.

I will also urge the star, Jean Marie Dongou, not to let down our hope in him. He should strive harder than most to excel and surpass Samuel Etoo in records and initiatives.

Congratulations to the Young African Pioneer.

Aluta continua,

Wale Owoeye Esq.

LUPITA N'YONGO- ANOTHER STAR IS BORN

LUPITA N'YONGO- ANOTHER STAR IS BORN

In the spirit of black felicitation, I am happy to celebrate Kenya's child, Lupita N'yongo, whose sterling performance in the movie '12 Years  A Slave' earned her an Oscar award for Best Supporting Actress in this year's edition held some time ago. It is a rare recognition for a first time actress and a prime example of excellence for upcoming actresses of colors and shades.

Not having seen the movie yet I cannot speak frankly about her performance in it. But in the trailer of the movie I saw where she was strapped to a pole to be flogged at the insistence of her owner's wife, who also doubled as her contender for the owner's bed; I knew she'd shine in the movie like a Vega. It's ever a feat to simulate the burden of being a slave woman in the dark ages of America's racial past so for her to have role played a slave so perfectly is worthy of honor and recognition. I congratulate and celebrate her.

12 Years A Slave is a flick developed from the memoir of a man who was unfortunate to experience the darkness of slavery after being born free in America. Produced by Brad Pitt who also starred in it and featuring Chiwete Ejiofor , the Nigerian-British actor who put up an amazing performance, it is a movie for every one desirous of knowing about the black story in America. My amazon for this post, Lupita N'yongo supported Chiwete and others to make this movie a blockbuster and for this deserves our gratitude and celebration. Like she said at the awards "No matter where you are from, your dreams are valid".

Wishing her many years to shine and more laurels to earn.   

Aluta continua,

Wale Owoeye Esq.

PS: To the readers of my friends I am happy to announce to you that my book titled MANDELA-In Memoriam is available for downloads on amazon.com and all online book stores. Get a copy to celebrate Madiba in his eternal repose…