BattaBox - a Nigerian Conversation - is an online television that captures the genuine rendition of the country and shares with global netizens.

“BattaBox is everything Nigerian - music, film, street-life, news, comedy, cooking and much, much more. ‘For Nigerians, by Nigerians’ - YOU upload your videos, photos, shout-outs, as well as discussing anything in our real-time video chat-room - and we’ll make sure your voice is heard.”

Christian Purefoy

Christian Purefoy (CP), a director in BattaBox gave us a glimpse of this evolving online television. CP has worked in Nigeria for over seven years as a freelance journalist and CNN’s West Africa correspondent.

Nwachukwu Egbunike (NE): What is BattaBox TV?

CP: BattaBox is ‘a Nigerian conversation' - music, film, street-life, news, comedy and much, much more. BattaBox is a video platform that allows anyone to upload videos to share an emotional moment, discuss a hot topic and promote an idea. If you want to make your voice heard, you have a video or photo you want to share, you need a big break for your music video, or you have a great show idea…

NE: Going by the clips on your site, they show an array of mundane but surprisingly, momentous stories of everyday Nigerian life. What and who motivated this idea of video communication?

CP: Nigeria is such a vibrant place that even the most mundane is crackling with energy. We hope the BattaBox platform will enable Nigerians to harness that energy with the huge potential of the internet. With the explosion of mobile phones (and their video cameras!) and the coming of the internet - there are now the tools in the hands of every Nigerian to explore, share and make their voice heard. We hope this will not only bring entertainment but positive change to peoples lives, not just in Nigeria but the diaspora in the rest of the world.

NE: Why Lagos, Nigeria? You could have as well focused on any other part of the globe?

CP: This is a Nigerian company so there's no place like home! No other place on earth has such a vibrant character, everyone has something to say, every street corner has a story to tell - we hope BattaBox will provide the platform to promote and share that energy. And, of course, we believe there is enormous business potential in Nigeria - so there's no where else we'd rather be!

NE: Any plans to get more videos from other parts of the country?

CP:  BattaBox is a Nigeria-wide community, but so far many of our videos are from Lagos. This is simply a technical issue: the internet in Nigeria is concentrated in the big cities for the time-being. It is costly and very slow for anyone in the rural areas to upload videos. We believe this will change rapidly over the next few years and so you will see more videos from outside of the major urban areas. However, we do have plenty of people coming back home ‘from the village' with videos that we're uploading and would love your readers to send in more!

NE: You seem to rely on citizen reporters to make and upload videos. What are the criteria for selecting/accepting videos that are finally hoisted on your website?

CP:  We accept all and any videos - as long as they are not inflammatory. If there are problems (maybe with the video or sound quality) then we try to get in touch with the person and help one-on-one to get it uploaded. This is a new platform in Nigeria so we are happy to help anyone who has an idea but maybe have a few questions ( for example, if they have a series of cooking class videos, etc )

NE: What has been your audience reaction? Bearing in mind that you currently rely on the social media platform.

CP:  Audience reaction has been amazing! Our viewing figures better than we'd hoped, comments and feedback on the videos are great - everyone seems to enjoy any of the videos they watch! - and people stop me when they see me around town to say they love the site. So yes it's a social media platform but people are talking about it in the real world!

NE:  What is your business model? And what is your strategy for being financially sustainable?

CP:  Our business model is advertising - we are relying on our own personal investments and want to grow this business independently and organically. We have not rolled out any advertising yet as we continue to establish ourselves but once we start to make money you can be sure we will be investing straight back into BattaBox and Nigeria!

NE: In your opinion, what is the future of web based citizen media sites in Africa?

CP:  In many ways, the future is already here in Africa. Everyone with a mobile phone able to access and share on citizen media sites allowing them to bypass the traditional state broadcasters - it's already possible. What is needed now is cheaper costs and easier accessibility, and like the explosion of mobile phones we believe this is inevitable and simply a matter of time.
However, security remains a serious issue for any citizen media sites in Africa. Their voices may be online, but people still live in the real world and any government or other intimidation of journalists (online or traditional) must be stopped.

NE:  What is your take about the power of videos for social change in Africa?

CP:  Video, I believe, is the most powerful communication medium. Through video - both recorded but increasingly real-time - people will be able to tell their story themselves, and not rely on a ‘third-party' journalist. This will have a profound effect on empowering social change, not just in Africa but the world. I can't give away all our secrets but hopefully soon start seeing this happening in Nigeria.

NE:  The radio remains the most potent developmental tool, followed by the television. The reason being the spread it has among the rural poor in the continent. Consequently, do you think that the social media can ever match up to these two?

CP:   Don't underestimate the power of the minority who can currently access and afford the internet in Nigeria - the burgeoning middle-class. In Egypt recently, it was this ‘urban middle-class' that used the internet to bring change.
But yes, the internet in Nigeria is still a few years away from having the reach of the radio or television - the infrastructure and costs remain a huge issue. We do however believe social media will surpass the traditional media in both spread and potential to bring change.

NE:  Can we peer into the future of BattaBox?

CP:  We are so excited at the unexpected ways in which BattaBox is being used and growing that we're almost unsure how it will look in the future ourselves! But we hope you will see more people wanting to put up their own shows, voices, jokes, fashion ideas and more. We have lots of ideas and potential in the pipeline - but hope you don't mind if we keep them ‘under our hat' for the moment! But one thing I can tell you is that we'll soon be unrolling our Google+ Pidgin Hangouts!

NE:  Last words…

CP:   Thank you to everyone who is getting involved in BattaBox! We all gather round and watch everytime we get a new video - there's nothing we'd rather be doing.

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Optimum Sports, in a very detailed post titled “Rashidi Yekini 1963-2012″ said:

He scored Nigeria's first ever goal at the World Cup, against Bulgaria at USA ‘94, and led the way as they won the Africa Cup of Nations in the same year. “Yekini's fantastic skills and talent were evident to the world”Issa Hayatou - CAF President

Rashidi Yekini - Nigeria's soccer legend. Photo source goal.com.

They went on to add:

He is Nigeria's top international scorer, with 37 goals from 58 games. He was also a prolific goal-scorer in club football - seeing huge success with Shooting Stars in Nigeria, Ivory Coast’ s Africa Sport and Vitoria Setubal in Portugal, amongst others

Naija-Things wrote a brief post dedicated to Nigeria’s scoring machine:

Another Naija Hero had just fallen on Friday 4th May, 2012. Rashidi Yekini eventually passed away after suffering from a mental illness for two years now

The North Bank Evening Standard from the Gambia also shared highlights of his career:

Yekini scored nearly 40 goals as a Nigerian international, and represented the nation in five major tournaments, including 2 World Cups, where he scored the country’s first-ever goal in the competition. He was also named the African Footballer of the Year once

YouTube video below: Rashidi Yekini scoring Nigeria's first ever goal at the World Cup:

Maxibeats compiled statements from former playing colleagues:

Super Eagle ex-goal keeper Ike Shorunmu also confirmed to Saturday Tribune saying ‘It’s so sad but the truth of the matter is that our dear Rashidi Yekini is dead, Shorunmu lamented. ‘He died in a private hospital in Ibadan. ‘The woman who had a daughter for Yekini told me this sad news and told me that he would be buried today in Ira, Kwara State’, said Shorunmu.

Gist Only wrote a rather controversial headline “Late Rashidi Yekini’s Wife blames the Media for his Death”:

A former wife of Rashidi Yekini, Adeola says the Late Super Eagles star would have lived longer if the media had left him in peace.The Osogbo-based mother of Yekini’s second daughter, Mariam says the media poked into his personal life all the time and abused his modesty”
The African football game has indeed lost of its most illustrious footballers. Nigeria which has lately been through rough times for its international games has lost a great role model who will forever live in our memories for his tenacious play on the pitch.

Tunde wrote about the “untold story of Rashidi Yekini's last days”:

Accounts from neighbours and associates paint a picture of a man who struggled with serious mental and delusional disorder after losing life savings to a bungled investment.

One neighbour spoke of his losing life savings to a sham investment, and another recalled seeing him frequently around women selling Bóle (roasted plantain); and on two occasions he answered nature’s call by a roadside in Ibadan where he lived away his final days.

Then, a former teammate conjectured how a disheartening jeering from fans during a crucial match that turned out his last international showing, haunted him to a bitter end.

Those who met Rashidi Yekini within the last one year say at least one of those episodes played a role in his unexpected death last week.

African football has indeed lost one of its most illustrious footballers. Nigeria, which has lately been through rough times from poor performance in international soccer, has lost a great role model who will forever live in our memories for his tenacious play on the pitch.

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May Day March in Venezuela

While some places saw peaceful marches, others had violent encounters between armed forces and the protesters.  On the first part of the video, an overview of workers in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe.  For example, Malaysian activists protested against the growing inequality. In the Philippines were for job security and higher wages.  Indonesians protested low wages and rough conditions. Cambodians asked for higher wages.  People in Bahrein asked for workers to be reinstated to their positions of which they were removed by the government crackdowns. In Egypt protests were on behalf of including workers rights in the constitution that is being drafted. In Europe, workers protested austerity measures that seem to target them.  In Russia, both the ruling party and the opposition had their own rallies.  The French left marched against the past of fiscal austerity. And in the London, where May Day is not a holiday, workers went on strike.

On the second part, protests in North and South America.  Demonstrations throughout Canada protesting budget cuts and rises in college tuition.  In the USA, banks were targeted in many major cities including clashes with riot police, calls to strikes, and blockades.  In Mexico workers marched to ask the government to do a better job in the face of violence. Honduras saw protests against the privatization of public services as well as corruption. In Cuba, massive parades commemorated the Cuban Revolution and in Venezuela both the government supporters and opposition marched, either for or against the recent reforms.  In Colombia there were arrests during the protests and the Chilean student movement also marched.

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The report states that almost 5% of Africa's agricultural land has been bought or leased by investors since 2000, and emphasizes the fact that this is not a new issue, yet points out that the number of such land deals has increased tremendously in the past five years.

Many observers are increasingly worried that these land deals usually take place in the world's poorest countries and that they impact its most vulnerable population, the farmers. The benefits seldom go to the general population, partially because of a lack of transparency in the proceedings of the transactions.

An additional report by Global Witness, entitled Dealing with Disclosure, emphasizes the dire need for transparency in the making of land deals.

World's poorest nations targeted 

The Global Witness report lists that 754 land deals have been identified, involving the majority of African countries for about 56.2 million hectares.

Target countries of land deals from the Land Matrix Project

The nations targeted are usually some of the poorest in the world. The countries with the most deals in place are Mozambique (92 deals), Ethiopia (83), Tanzania (58) and Madagascar (39). Some of those deals have made headlines because they were conducted to ensure control over food imports, when the targeted regions faced major food crises.

The NGO GRAIN has already explained in detail the gist of their concerns in an extensive report released in 2008:

Today’s food and financial crises have, in tandem, triggered a new global land grab. On the one hand, “food insecure” governments that rely on imports to feed their people are snatching up vast areas of farmland abroad for their own offshore food production. On the other hand, food corporations and private investors, hungry for profits in the midst of the deepening financial crisis, see investment in foreign farmland as an important new source of revenue. As a result, fertile agricultural land is becoming increasingly privatised and concentrated. If left unchecked, this global land grab could spell the end of small-scale farming, and rural livelihoods, in numerous places around the world.

In Malawi, land deals have grown increasingly prevalent to the detriment of the local farmers. A report from Bangula explains the challenges faced by Malawian farmers, Dorothy Dyton and her family:

Like most smallholder farmers in Malawi, they did not have a title deed for the land Dyton was born on, and in 2009 she and about 2,000 other subsistence farmers from the area were informed by their local chief that the land had been sold and they could no longer cultivate there. […] Since that time, said Dyton, “life has been very hard on us.” With a game reserve on one side of the community and the Shire river and Mozambique border on the other, there is no other available land for them to farm and the family now ekes out a living selling firewood they gather from the nearby forest.

Land construction in Madagascar. Photo by Foko Madagascar, used with the author's authorization

Farmers in Madagascar share similar concerns because they do not own the rights to the land they farm and an effective land reform is yet to be implemented. The Malagasy association Terres Malgaches has been at the forefront of land protection for the local population. They report that [fr]:

 Les familles malgaches ne possèdent pas de document foncier pour sécuriser leurs terres contre les accaparements de toutes sortes. En effet, depuis la colonisation, l’obtention de titres fonciers auprès de l’un des 33 services des domaines d’un pays de 589 000 km2 nécessite 24 étapes, 6 ans en moyenne et jusqu’à 500 dollars US. (..) .  Face aux convoitises et accaparements dont les terres malgaches font l’objet actuellement, seule la possession d’un titre ou d’un certificat foncier, seuls documents juridiques reconnus, permet d’entreprendre des actions en justice en cas de conflit.

The association also reports on the practices of a mining company Sheritt, in Ambatovy, which have created a buzz in the local blogosphere because of environmental concerns for the local population and business malpractices (via MiningWatch Canada):

Sherritt International’s Ambatovy project in eastern Madagascar – costing $5.5 billion to build and scheduled to begin full production this month – will comprise a number of open pit mines (..) it will close in 29 years. There are already many concerns about the mine from the thousands of local people near the facilities. They say that their fields are destroyed ; the water is dirty ; the fish in the river are dead and there have been landslides near their village. During testing of the new plant, there have been at least four separate leaks of sulphur dioxide from the hydro-metallurgical facility which villagers say have killed at least two adults and two babies and sickened at least 50 more people. In January, laid-off construction workers from Ambatovy began a wildcat strike, arguing that the jobs they were promised when construction ended have not materialized. The people in nearby cities like Moramanga say that their daughters are increasingly engaged in prostitution.

Video of a worker's testimony in Ambatovy.

Solutions for the local population? 

The plight of Madagascar's farmers' plight may be slowly changing though. Land reform discussions are in progress, according to this report:

 According to a paper presented at the 2011 International Conference on Global Land Grabbing, about 50 agribusiness projects were announced between 2005 and 2010, about 30 of which are still active, covering a total land area of about 150,000 ha. Projects include plantations to produce sugar cane, cassava and jatropha-based biofuel.
To prevent the negative impacts of land grabbing, (The NGO) EFA has set up social models for investors, with funding from the UN Development Programme (UNDP). The goal is to help investors negotiate with the people in the area where they want to implement projects, as a way to prevent future problems.

Joachim Von Braun, formerly  of the International Food Policy Insitute (IFPRI), wrote the following regarding land deals:

 It is in the long-run interest of investors, host governments, and the local people involved to ensure that these arrangements are properly negotiated, practices are sustainable, and benefits are shared. Because of the transnational nature of such arrangements, no single institutional mechanism will ensure this outcome. Rather, a combination of international law, government policies, and the involvement of civil society, the media, and local communities is needed to minimize the threats and realize the benefits.

The need for transparency in land deals is further emphasized by  Megan MacInnes, Senior Land Campaigner at Global Witness:

Far too many people are being kept in the dark about massive land deals that could destroy their homes and livelihoods. That this needs to change is well understood, but how to change it is not. For the first time, this report (Dealing with Disclosure)  sets out in detail what tools governments, companies and citizens can harness to remove the shroud of secrecy that surrounds land acquisition. It takes lessons from efforts to improve transparency in other sectors and looks at what is likely to work for land. Companies should have to prove they are doing no harm, rather than communities with little information or power having to prove that a land deal is negatively affecting them.

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Lusina from Kenya is one of the interviewed mothers for IMOW

Mama to Be is the section on the expectations around motherhood and pregnancy, and how the different women, some not even out of their teens reacted and faced their impending motherhood.

How many women in the world actually have an opportunity to decide if, how, and when to create a family? What are the reasons that women today are choosing – or refusing to choose – motherhood?

In Healthy Mama, Healthy Baby, the stories these women share on their birthing experiences serve to illustrate how different cultures view birthing and health.

Every day, thousands of women worldwide give birth to new human life. While many of these women will have happy and successful deliveries, hundreds will die in childbirth. How do things like geography, income, and age affect your chances of a safe delivery? What is being done to improve upon the world’s maternal mortality rate, and how can you get involved?

In the Featured Voices section, stories were submitted by the audience and six stories were selected by an international jury for the Community Choice Awards. One of them is this excerpt of the hard situation in the Colombian hospital maternity wards by Jorge Caballero for Gusano Films.

In Birth Journal Maternity Excerpt, a mother of six arrives to a checkup and then to deliver a baby. During the checkup, her story comes out through the questions asked by the doctor, and his attitude towards her changes, ending up with a suggestion for a tubal ligation and a curt farewell. During delivery, there isn't even time to move the lone woman to the gurney and into the maternity room, she gives birth on her hospital bed.

One-on-one interviews in Meet the Mamas focus the conversations around the woman and her personal story, for example, it helps contrast the different situations between a teen mother in Liberia, living what she calls in Critical Condition, and a teen mother in the United States, who through family support is able to move on ahead and continue her studies.

This exhibit in the International Museum of Women aims to get more people informed on the state of Women's Maternal Health, on their Get Involved page they suggest different ways in which readers can participate in improving the statistics and raise awareness themselves on these important issues.

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The #SaveOke campaign was ignited by some Nigerian bloggers and tweeps – spearheaded by Linda Ikeji to save Oke’s life. #SavedOke cyber-advocacy is one more proof of the rising power of social media in Africa’s most populous country.

Who is #Oke?

The protagonist of this story in his own words:

Ighiwoto Okeoghene John (Oke). Photo courtsey: Lindaikeji.blogspot.co.uk)

My name is Ighiwoto Okeoghene John. I attended Federal Government College, Warri. Gained admission into Obafemi Awolowo University. Like many young people but unlike most, I could not finish. I was diagnosed with Diabetes 1 and 2. My health started failing. My legs failed me. I had this wound that ate my toes that refused to heal.

Just like many of you, in January 2012, I was angry with the country that didn’t have the best health care services, a country where I had to pay so much for my injections of insulin which I took daily. I was angry I could hardly keep to the diet my doctor gave me because it was expensive. I was angry yet I could not go out to march. I could not even walk. For six years now, my legs have failed me, they cannot move me; I cannot move them. My health is failing me but I keep up all hope that I will be fine.

There are some things you do not choose in life; the family you are born into; the country you are born into; your genes; the sicknesses passed through those genes. I cannot change these. You cannot change this but, there is something you can change. Something you can save; my legs; my life.

I need 5million naira for an operation in India. I need you to get me out of this couch. Truth is the couch is getting tired of me too. The wood from the edge that I use as pillow now pains me in the head, from wear and tear. Truth is my body is getting tired, getting weak. I need to get my life back. I need your help.

The Focus of #SaveOke campaign

Omojowa summarises:

Oke has been diagnosed with Diabetes type 1 and 2. The wound on his toe has taken his feet. It threatens to take his life. Oke needs your help. Oke needs 5 million naira for an operation in India. Oke needs this money fast.

There are two things that you can do to save Oke: Donate: You can donate any amount to save Oke’s life. 5 million naira is a long way. It would be great if one person gives that. But 5m is just 5,000 people giving N1,000 each. Please try to give a minimum of a N1,000. More is better.

How the campaign went viral

The strategies as best expounded by Fairy GodSisters Blog:

Twitter:

I looked at the amount he needed for surgery, 5 million naira only. Pere! Immediately I thought of the probe going on at the National Assembly, the almighty N850, 000 meal, and I knew that either one person wrote it off with a cheque or all of us would gather our pennies together. Either way, 5million naira was doable.

I went on Twitter, and with a ‘warning because of the gory photos’, started asking people to first publicise, and then donate. This is where my first set of thank you’s start. To @KathleenNdongmo, @4eyedmonk, @omojuwa,@MrBankole, @ykprojects
who not only ran with the story but helped out in their own way, may all the help you will ever seek never be more than a message from you!

@KathleenNdongmo (as if on cue) DM’ed me to get in touch with the CCHub guys. I hadn’t heard of them before that night but apparently they’d successfully spearheaded a campaign to fix the blown off roofs of the Yaba Barracks using a webpage. Sounded great, and is the second rung up the appreciation ladder. I rang Tubosun, one of the founders of CCHub past midnight (Nigerian time), and not only was he pleasant, he agreed to help! This was despite the fact that his company was in the middle of a pretty hectic event. A big thank you also goes to Stanley, a developer with the company who was detailed to our cause and was very patient with Oke and I in all the emails we had to exchange.

Blog Post:

On Sunday morning I did a blog post on his story, and on Monday a more descriptive one. By this time people in the diaspora were all over us, asking how they could pitch in. God bless you guys!

 You Tube Documentary

 That same night I thought about making a video to connect us with Oke; not one of the silly ‘£/$3 a day will save 1 million children in Africa’ kind of videos, I just wanted him to tell his story. I got in touch with Onye Ubanatu (because only the best would do), and again, it was closer than further to midnight. After I pitched it to him, he agreed! He was billed to be out of Lagos the entire week but promised to get on it the day after he got back which in my opinion was good because it would provide new momentum for the campaign that week. Thank you Onye! Mwah!

Getting Government Involved (Mobile Telephony):

I got a call yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon. Ejiro Gegere (God bless you richly for your tenacity) called to say theDelta State Government got in touch and would cater to Oke. At the time she rang, they’d already gotten him admitted in a hospital on the Island for tests, and as you’re reading this he’s been to Immigration and is back with his passport! They have said they’ll cater to everything, and they’re well on their way to that.

#Oke has since been flown to India where he is currently receiving treatment. @KathleenNdongmo confirms:

@KathleenNdongmo: YAY! So glad to see Oke's getting the treatment he needs RT @seunfakze: another picture from #Oke from india #SaveOke http://pic.twitter.com/LZZsnBdh

The moral of the #SaveOke story

Emmanuel Udumah in Virility is a Cause propounds three lessons thus:

Oke in an Indian hospital (Image by @seunfakze, April 11, 2012)

And it is therefore clear, that seeking to #SaveOke, we are accepting the ease of categorization. Understanding that it is either he’s on his feet again, or not. Grey is not our colour of choice.Recall that Russell and his cohorts became famous by advocating a cause. #SaveOke, too, is a cause. A cause with endearing practicality, and tangible consequences. In this case, we do not have to grope for ethical implications or stumble in the cocoon of debates.

If we retain these questions in our head, and take no action, we lose the opportunity to enjoy the bliss of spontaneity. One of the tools being employed in this cause is social media, which suffices, as KONY 2012 did, for the republic of the webosphere. If this republic can cast aside all doubts, which legitimately exist, and act without thinking, I think we would have saved not just Oke, but ourselves.

In Lessons from the #SaveOke Campaign Fairy GodSister’s gave four categorisations:

Social Media is Powerful 

I’ve never doubted the power of social media (wouldn’t have studied it if I did) but if I did, this campaign would have forever put paid to those doubts. The speed with which the blog posts spread and the amazing functionality called the ‘retweet’.

Nigeria is in Trouble

Oke’s story was just another instance pointing to a problem we (Nigeria) haven’t gotten past. Unfortunately, even in 2012 we are still in the ‘reaction’ rather than ‘proactive’ mode. No one thinks to plan for the future, hell we’re barely getting through today!

Who Sings for the Unsung?

How many people die every day because they have no access to qualitative healthcare? How many ‘trivial’ cases transform into life threatening because they were not nipped in the bud with adequate treatment? Who sings for the unsung?

We are still the World 

Social media has always and will always revolve around people. Social media without human involvement can be compared to a beautiful car without a driver: it is nothing without our input. It is one thing to sit in the comfort of your home and moan every day about everything going wrong with the country, how the government doesn’t care, how we need a ‘paradigm shift (lol), etc. It is a totally different (and more profitable) thing however to do your civic duties, know your leaders (local and national), and then hold them accountable by getting informed, asking them questions, you know the drill.

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Netizens have received the news of Dr. Jim's selection with mixed views. Some bloggers and tweeps are of the view that this was the best time to change the tradition of producing American World Bank presidents since its foundation.

Despite Ngozi's loss, CP-Africa, an African business, technology and culture blog, highlights Ngozi's observation that her candidacy set a strong precedence for future emerging markets candidates:

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s Finance Minister. Image released in the public domain by www.imf.org/

….she stated an important point highlighting that her candidacy sets a good precedence for future candidates from emerging markets.

Olise disagrees with Ngozi's observation:

Alot of pple [people] might not want to hear this, but its a fact that no one can change. Coming from a country wth so much natural endowments and yet in abject poverty, I think it absolutely illogical for any one to want to give any support to our dear finance minister who apparently has not bn able to tackle the pitiable economic situation of her own country but yet is gunning to become the president of the world bank.
She should quite the folley by trying to ride on the wings of her experience as charity they say begins @home. If she can‘t tackle our own issues back home then she should resign.
As far as I‘m concerned, that woman is too high up there to understand let alone relate wth our perculiar Nigerian situation.

Another reader identifies five lessons for Ngozi to learn from her loss:

This is the golden moment for Ngozi to appreciate nigeria, emmerging economies and africa in general, for the support she enjoyed prior to the selection of world bank president. There exist lessons to learn for mrs Ngozi; which include: 1. America can use and dump you. 2. Competence is not a criterior in international politics. 3. Africans are third citizens. 4. Nigeria is all that she has and no place like home. 5. What next: quick reversal of her traditional economic policies that are too ideal for a nation that lacks economic foundation. It is time for her to be local champion in her domain. Let her pay nigeria and africa through reversal of her euro – american policies to real economic reforms that will reduce tension and hardships to the average Nigerian. Ngozi, i pray for ur success not because i like you or you did anything good to my country but because you are the most competent among the contenders. Health and economic trends are two different issues and World bank is not WHO!

The video below is from @cpafrica explaining why the World Bank didn’t pick Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the World Bank president:

On Twitter, as one might expect, there is no consensus even among Nigerian tweeps. Some Nigerian tweeps wonder how a mismanaged economy like Nigeria can produce a World Bank president while another one argues that her candidacy was merely symbolic:

@rosanwo: The fact that most Nigerians do not understand the history of the World Bank and how it operates contributed to their thinking NOI [Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala] could win

@Yillande: A competent woman like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was not choosen when she has all the Qualification to head it…

@Tejiriaren: Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala… What an inspiration, this woman! Unfair what the US did in the selection process…. But then again, its d US!

@nigerianblogger: Allowing African countries to determine who becomes WB President would be like allowing debtors to select the MD of a Bank.~Usman Bala

@rosanwo: Allowing a Nigerian to take charge of the World Bank is like putting North Korea in charge of Human Rights ~ Bolingo Turary. Hian!!!

@BBC_AudreyB: Ngozi Okonjo Iweala says she celebrates the fact that Jim Yong Kim got the World Bank job she wanted. Really Ngozi? So you're not bitter?

@SaneleZondi: Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala contesting for World Bank presidency was more a symbolic gesture than ‘real'.

@nnamdiarea: …But if these Nigerian officials are so world class, why is Nigeria such a shitty country?

@rosanwo: Chai, all those our people wey don dey dream of World Bank Ngozi
Ankara, business don spoil

@Yadomah: BREAKING NEWS: Boko Haram claims responsibility for Ngozi Okonjo Iweala's world bank race kick out….

@ged: Tomorrow morning or later this night, we'll start reading some fictional reasons why Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala lost in the W/Bank Presidency race.

@omonational: @OccupyNaija @rosanwo @ogundamisi It would have been the most shameful thing if she has been elected. NIGERIANS! TOP POST IN D WORLD?

@OccupyNaija: Soon @NOIweala will come home to tell us how she bowed out of WB Presidency Race to focus more on Nigeria her 1st love!!..

@nnamdiarea: Then what we are going around dragging international positions for, when more than half our people can barely feed? What is wrong with us?

@djudje12: WBP: NOI :I know what it is 2 carry water on bare head,vote for me! West:We've seen ur president who went to school on barefeet,no votes pls

On her Facebook page, Ngozi congratulates the new World Bank president and adds:

With regard to the selection process, it is clear to me that we need to make it more open, transparent and merit-based. We need to make sure that we do not contribute to a democratic deficit in global governance.

Nevertheless, by our participation we have won important victories. We have shown what is possible. Our credible and merit-based challenge to a long-standing and unfair tradition will ensure that the process of choosing a World Bank president will never be the same again. The struggle for greater equity and fairness has reached a critical point and the hands of the clock cannot be turned back.

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A Nigerian Christian author, Preacher, founder and Presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church World Wide also known as Winners Chapel and its affiliated International churches known as Winners Chapel International, with headquarters in Ogun State, Nigeria. He is also the senior pastor of Faith Tabernacle, a 50,000 seat church auditorium reputed to be the largest church auditorium in the world by the Guinness Book of Records.The Winners Chapel network of churches is present in over 300 cities in all states of Nigeria, as well as in over 63 cities in 32 African Nations, Dubai, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Bishop David Oyedepo (Courtsey: yemojanews.com)

Forbes ranks Oyedepo as Nigeria's richest pastor:

Estimated net worth: $150 million. David Oyedepo is Nigeria’s wealthiest preacher… Oyedepo owns four private jets and homes in London and the United States. He also owns Dominion Publishing House, a thriving publishing company that publishes all his books (which are often centred on prosperity). He founded and owns Covenant University, one of Nigeria’s leading tertiary institutions, and Faith Academy, an elite high school.

Sahara Reporters claims that the floating of Dominion Air was due to the escalating cost of maintaining Oyedepo’s private jets:

The rising cost of maintaining four private jets has forced flamboyant Nigerian pastor, Bishop David Oyedepo, to set up a commercial airline that uses four airplanes that had hitherto served as part of his private fleet. Last year, as staff costs, fuel prices and landing fees escalated, Bishop Oyedepo had contemplated selling two of the jets. But when no buyers were forthcoming, he turned to Plan B: to set up Dominion Air and put the jets to commercial use.

The reactions on many Nigerian social platforms were varied.

Here are some sarcastic and critical twits:

@dangeldiva: So is the pilot going to pray before take-off? #DominionAir

‏ @nzesylva: As soon as the pilot puts off the ‘fasten your seat belt' sign, all passengers are to close their eyes for praise n worship. #DominionAir

@FedUpNigerian: #DominionAirInflightEntertainment It’s not allowed to clap after landing, we can only shout hallelujah! #dominionair

@Ms_Mustapha: In flight magazines to be replaced with bibles #dominionair

@sheikhofeffizy: #dominionair…no fones or BB on board and carries only saints…

@kj_hova: Religion must not b taxd by govt. Howeva, its profit making ventures must b subject to company & income taxes etc. #DominionAir

@BuzorIbusaBoy: U complained about his jet, he got an airline, doesn't that tell u that he doesn't care….U still want to complain? #DominionAir

@ChikaUwazie: Now I see why Nigerians kill themselves to become a pastor #dominionair

Twitter users in support:

@OgbeniBen: For those criticising #DominionAir “(my) ♏v̶̲̥̅ People perish bcos they lack wisdom” its a̶̲̥̅ Go̲̣̥o̲̣̥d Move for we at Winners Family.

@drphilip2010: I hear the sound of #envy! #DominionAir #BishopOyedepo.

@lutoluh: If Oyedepo had kept his money in the bank or built a mansion in his village with it…none would be ranting right now! #dominionAir

Kathleen Ndongmo identifies “7 Things to Consider before Criticising Bishop Oyedepo”:

7- A “full time” pastor is not allowed to do business? He commits a ‘crime’ if he does? A full time politician can loot and that’s no crime?

6- Pick one: The man who loots ur treasury for his business or the man who uses ur voluntary donations for a business. Are we sentimental?

5- Tax the ‘church’ if government deems it fit. That’s an okay dynamic. For all you know, the ‘church’ will pay. Comfortably.

4- I grew up in the Catholic Church. Where ‘mission’ schools, ‘mission’ hospitals etc where a benefit to the community.

3- How can a man’s only crime for starting a business be the fact that he heads a Christian ministry?

2- If an atheist starts a business [like an airline] that works [for the customer] will there be uproar? Does faith nullify?

1. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (allegedly) starts First Nation, no negative uproar. Why is there one when Oyedepo starts Dominion?

Phantom of Jargon points out flaws in Ndongmo’s thesis:

7. A politician looting IS a crime, Christianity is not a business venture, Dominion AIRLINE is something MASSIVE! If Bishop Oyedepo wants to go Donald Trump, he should drop ministry.

6. You’re actually making this sound worse for Bishop Oyedepo: “..uses ur voluntary donations for a business” If he reps Christianity truly, I know for a fact these ‘voluntary donations’ are not bargaining chips for entrepreneurship, its meant for helps and evangelism

5. ano… Kathleen Ndongmo-san there is a reason why Churches are not taxed in the first place, it clearly isn’t meant to exist as a profit driven organization and CHIGAU! There are churches that cannot pay… comfortably.

4. Thumbs up to the true Catholics but those are ‘mission amenities’ a Dominion Airline is a commercial establishment, I find it difficult to see how it would directly affect those who really need ‘help’ in a community, Its just like someone opening a casino and going like “I’m trying to help people become rich  ”

3. ’7′ disagrees with this…

1&2 The atheist or the politician wouldn’t be contradicting his faithlessness.

Bishop Oyedepo has not commented about the ownership of Dominion Air. As such, Contra Culture E-Magazine thinks that the entire furore over Dominion Air is unnecessary:

So there is a rumour on the web that Bishop Oyedepo is in the process of starting an airline company called Dominion airlines. It is a rumour because nobody from Winners chapel has provided any response…

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These three wish to succeed current president, Robert Zoellick, who is stepping down at the end of his term on 30 June, 2012. Ever since NOI made her intentions public, the social media has known no peace with comments from African netizens.

NOI is no guest to the World Bank. She resigned as managing director to become the most important woman in present administration in Nigeria. Last year in Nigeria: Adrift Awaiting the Arrival of a Woman netizens predicted  that NOI will soon raise some dust:

When I became finance minister they called me Okonjo-Wahala –  or Trouble Woman. It means ‘I give you hell.' But I don't care what names they call me. I'm a fighter; I'm very focused on what I'm doing, and relentless in what I want to achieve. If you get in my way, you get kicked.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy. Image released in the public domain by www.imf.org/

And sure she did! NOI was considered the lead protagonist of the removal of subsidy on petrol early this year. This lead to a national protest that was magnified by:

...the democratization of information as personified by young Nigerians through their use of social media. For days, the nation had been shut down: no one worked, earned or learned.

NOI declared her bid in Pretoria – with the support of two strong African economies, Angola and South Africa – in these words:

I consider the World Bank a very important institution for the world and particularly for developing countries deserving of the best leadership… So I look forward to a contest of very strong candidates, and am I confident? Absolutely.

She was also grateful for the support from other African countries. NOI’s Facebook post stated as follows:

I am honoured by my nomination and the support of multiple African Nations to make the World Bank more representative of the people it serves. As an employee of the Bank for 22 years, I know of its commitment to improving the lives of those in developing world. It is that passion that inspires me to do the most I can for Nigeria as the Minister of Finance.

Nonetheless, African netizens have reacted to her candidacy, some in support, others against and some just indifferent.

Sam Ayogu  commented on NOI Facebook wall:

You deserve the World Bank top-must position. I don’t know why USA must be so selfish to still eye that position again. Madam, may God see you through.

Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda did same like Sam:

In full support of your candidature my sister.

Dale @drkumo ranks among NOI’s supporters on Twitter:

@drkumo: Africa deserves the position of the World Bank President and Okonjo-Iweala should be the one.

Preh Omoni wrotes:

@prehfred: @NOIweala: Nigeria is indeed honoured. The nomination is as important as d job, just as for d Grammy, Oscar, Nobel, etc. Congrats!

Lant Pritchett in ‘Why Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Should Be the Next Head of the World Bank‘ employed a six-points criteria to compare NOI with Jim Yong Kim.  NOI ranked 5-1 to Yong Kim for the job. Pritchett asserted that:

The US had a chance to lead.  It abdicated that chance to play domestic politics and put forward a US nominee who is manifestly less qualified to be head of the World Bank than the alternative candidate nominated by African countries: Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Below are tweeps who are against NOI’s bid.

Olaolu Adeniran :

@ladeniran: Nigerians & d hypes we eat up. #NOI wont get d world bank job. it's an electn yr 4 @barackobama & he's facing a close race.

Ismail Umar ‏ was a bit sarcastic:

@yankee200893: @NOIweala to be realistic, you can go ahead with your career in World Bank. We Nigerians we don't see your impact in Nigeria economy.

AA as in AA ‏:

@adaba2015: @NOIweala All the best in ur quest to be WB President. We wish u success bc we cant wait to see u go. You've become same of d shame in govt.

The indifferent gang was personified by Ken Opolo:

@kopalo: Interesting reactions to World Bank president nominee. I am ambivalent. Would love Ngozi to get it but wonder what difference that'd make.

One thing is certain, NOI is definitely not going to be a walk over in the race to the World Bank presidency. In a matter of weeks the decision will be made and who gets the top job will be settled. However, Peter Michael summarises the views of most netizens on NOI’s candidacy and nomination by other African nations:

Congratulations Madam! Even if you don’t make it we are still proud of you, you made Nigeria proud once again with your intellect and skills which is a legacy no one can dispute. May God continue to grease your elbow, increase you with wisdom as you continue to serve for the benefit of humanity.

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Anyone following online citizen media closely this month, would inevitably have come across the heated global debate over the Invisible Children viral campaign to stop Ugandan war criminal and rebel army leader Joseph Kony.

While the Kony 2012 campaign certainly received the attention it sought, many Ugandans and Africans felt its message lacked the nuance required by context, and was more focused on raising funds for the organisation's own survival rather than empowering the people affected by the conflict.

Furthermore, many African citizens felt that once again, the narrative of a highly publicized story about Africa centered on a negative story and neglected the upwards trends the continent has been witnessing.

As a counter measure, many people started posting stories on Twitter about “what they love about Africa” with the hash tag #WhatILoveAboutAfrica.

what I love About Africa trending worlwide by Semhar Araia - @Semhar

The initiative, spearheaded by Semhar Araia, a blogger at the Diaspora African Women Network (DAWNS), started to trend worldwide on Twitter on March 13, 2012.

The other side of the story

While no one argues with the merit of exposing the despicable crimes perpetuated by Kony's Lord's Resistance Army, the following citizen media commentaries explain why this debate is more than just a “meme war” but a struggle to reclaim the international perception and narrative about an entire continent.

When a group of North Ugandans, the main victims of Kony's crimes, were showed the Invisible Children's video in a public screening, they were not particularly pleased with the content of the video as is seen in an Al Jazeera English video below.

“If people in those countries care about us, they will not wear t-shirts with pictures of Joseph Kony for any reason,” says one man interviewed. “That would celebrate our suffering.”

A Ugandan man at another screening says, “There is some kind of people, some NGO, who are trying to mobilize funds using the atrocities committed in Northern Uganda.”

The campaign to show the positive sides of Africa has garnered quite a bit of clout as well in the social media scene. American student and Afrophile Karen Kilberg collected a few of her favorite posts about the meme, and also quotes African blogger Tatenda Muranda on Twitter as to why she wrote the post:

@IamQueenNzinga: It's about time we ushered in the era of afro-optimism through words and action

Kenyan journalist Paula Rogo curated on Storify of the “best and the worst” of the “WhatIloveAboutAfrica” conversation. Here are a few posts from her selection:

@mwanabibi: #WhatILoveAboutAfrica The youth! Hopeful, optimistic and innovative

@Sarenka222: #WhatILoveAboutAfrica resilient, perceptive, courageous, independent press, even in the face of intimidation (cc: @dailymonitor :)

@RiseAfrica: RT @texasinafrica: Innovations like mobile money, crowdsourced crisis mapping. #WhatILoveAboutAfrica

Map of Africa tagged by participants of Barcamp Africa in October 2008, from the Maneno Flickr photostream

The old struggle for the African narrative

Reclaiming the narrative about the African Continent through social media is not a new endeavor. In 2007, a similar campaign brewed throughout the African social media when several prominent bloggers invited fellow bloggers to weigh in on “Why I blog about Africa”.

Ivorian blogger Théophile Kouamouo asked in 2008 [fr]:

Bloguons nous pour la diaspora et le vaste monde, coupé de nos contemporains sur le continent ? Blogue-t-on sur l'Afrique comme on blogue sur l'Europe ou l'Asie ? La blogosphère afro-orientée a-t-elle quelque chose de spécifique à offrir au concert de l'universel version 2.0 ?

The meme was remarkable in that it not only managed to spurt plenty of reactions in the West African region but also spread across the continent to the African Anglophone blogosphere. As a commentary to the meme back then, Rombo of “What an African Woman Thinks” provided an inspiring response to What she loves about Africa:

Africa is under my skin. Africa is the voices in my head. Africa is the itch on my back that I can’t quite reach.
[…] She’s beautiful and she’s strong and she’s got so much to give, she inspires me and I love her truly madly deeply.
She’s battered and bruised and sometimes broken and I love her even more.
She’s always on my mind and in my heart.
It’s not so much, then, that I choose to blog about Africa. It’s that I can’t not.
I really wish the world would see in her all that I see in her.
That’s another reason why I blog about Africa: To make this wish come true.

Sokari of Black Looks added back then:

… she makes me angry and frustrated, lets me down, goes on walkabouts and is influenced by some pretty horrible characters many from distant lands. But I cant help loving her deeply - she is alive, she is real and wise with so many wonderful meaningful stories of humanity and life. She is rich in stature and spirit. I love the way she moves, her facial expressions, the taste of her food and the smell and colours of the earth

The struggle for the narrative is an old story indeed. Binyavanga Wainaina wrote a famous essay about “How to write about Africa” in 2005. This essay was turned into a video called “How Not to Write About Africa” narrated by actor Djimon Hounsou:

In view of the long, drown out struggle to portray the positive side of the continent, one might wonder why it is such a challenge to change the global perspective of the continent and why it matters so much to many people.

An answer to why it is important to highlight the positive side of the continent was offered during the TED Africa conference by Euvin Naidoo, president of the South African Chamber of Commerce. He argues that trust is an important component for investments in Africa, and that a better understanding of all the nuances of the continent is required. He states:

George Kimble said, ‘The only thing dark about Africa is our ignorance of it.' So let's start shedding light on this amazing eclectic continent that has so much to offer [..] The first myth to dispel is that Africa is not a country. It’s made up of 53 different countries. So to say ‘invest in Africa' is a no-go. It's meaningless.

This post is part of our special coverage Kony 2012.

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