Justice for Sylvester Oromoni!

What is bullying? 

Wikipedia states that Bullying is the use of force, coercion, hurtful teasing or threat, to abuse, aggressively dominate or intimidate. The behavior is often repeated and habitual. Bullying is the activity of repeated, aggressive behavior intended to hurt another individual, physically, mentally, or emotionally. 

A bully is therefore anyone who use force, coercion, hurtful teasing or threat, to abuse, aggressively dominate or intimidate another.

Bullying comes in so many other forms. Not only amongst students. Teachers also bully students.

Some days ago, someone shared a post on a WhatsApp Group. The post was the story of of a 12 years old boy, Sylvester Oromoni, who was bullied and tortured by some senior students in Dowen College. Sylvester eventually died. He was beaten and "locked up in a wardrobe for 2 days". He was forced to ingest a liquid substance. His lips were swollen and "cracked". The child was in severe pains. His parents were called to come "take their child for treatment outside". The school management told the parents that their son had a fall while playing football!

The whole story is so SAD! I saw some disturbing images relating to the horrible story. How can the parents be consoled? How?! The stories on this ugly event got me worried. The denial by the school management was very lame and repulsive! 

That school, Dowen College is one of the so called "top school" in Nigeria. 

The welcome message on the school website read thus:

"At Dowen College Lagos, the students are our focus. Everything we do is centered on our students. Our desire is to produce balanced global leaders. Every decision made seeks to enhance the value added to the life of each student at Dowen College Lagos because we believe in the total development of the students morally, mentally and physically. Our way of life is encompassed in what we term “the A B C D of Dowen College."

If the students are truly the focus of the school as stated above, how did the Management not know? How can the teachers be blinded to the tortures students face in hostels?! Where was the House master when the boy was being beaten? 

How can the school ever desire to produce "balanced global leaders" when they cover up for the wrong acts perpetrated within the walls of the school?

What value was added to the life of the deceased student when the school decided to hide the truth from the parents when the parents were told that their child sustained the injury during a football game?

Sylvester Oromoni was tortured and eventually died as a result of the gruesome torture by some senior students in Dowen College, Lekki Lagos. News have it that the suspects have been flown out of the Country by their parents. . .  The Law of Karma is not a respecter of jurisdiction. Wherever they are, justice will prevail.  

Sylvester's death is one too many! 

Parents, these bullies are from homes. Whether the child is a bully or not, it ALL STARTS FROM THE HOME. Let us train our children well. Don't encourage wrong acts in any form. Live by example. Talk to your children. Listen to your children. Teach your children good morals. 

#JusticeforSylvesterOromoni

#SayNOtoBullying

#ChildrenSpeakOut

School Matters...

It's been three weeks since my Little Dee! started school. Contrary to my expectations, she is adapting fast (well). At least, she does not whine or cry while she is getting ready for school! Yes o! She really looks forward to school. Everyday, as I walk into the house, she welcomes me with so much excitement ready to tell me what happened in school! I thank God for this o!

Education is a vital tool in the life of every human being! Although it does not matter when an individual starts school, it is VERY important that every human being gets the basic form of education. That is why I do not understand WHY a parent would deliberately deprive his/her child/children from going to school!

Knowing to read and write would make things a lot easier for all. Education is an essential key to success in life.

I am the Diokpa!

My hubby is from the Ibo speaking part of Delta State, Nigeria. In that part of the Country, every first male child in any family is referred to as the "Diokpa". In the simple terms, the Diopka is the head of the Family.

Recently, Tee was in one of his whining moods and I was just NOT in the mood to pet him. Instead, I chose to have a "chat" with him. In the course of the chat, I explained to him that he is almost 6 years old, and therefore, he is a big boy. I added that as a "big boy" he is not permitted to whine any more! I added that as the first son, he is the Diokpa of the family, and Diokpas don't whine or cry! That was it o! Now, he tries to comport himself as a "Diokpa". Whenever I notice he is about to change gear into one of his whining moods, I just simply say "It's a shame that the Diopka is about to whine!" Immediately, he'll switch to a better and acceptable mood!

One day, he was trying to assert his Diokpa right on Gee. He said to her "since I am the Diokpa, I am in charge of the house . . ." Gee immediately, retorted saying, "well, I am the FIRST child of this family and I AM in charge, so you must respect my views." When he asked me to say something on the issue, I said, "Gee is right. You have to respect her as the Ada of the family" I explained that an "Ada" is the first daughter of every family! At least, that settled it.

Tainted Milk Scare

It is no longer news that "tainted milk" formula has killed several babies in China.

The milk is tainted or contaminated with the toxic chemical melamine. Melamine is a clear to whitish substance that normally exists in crystal form. Ordinarily, this dreaded chemical called "Melamine" is used in combination with formaldehyde (another chemical) to produce a resin used in several products ranging from white boards to counter tops. Melamine also has a high nitrogen content that can fool quality tests for protein content in milk.

If consumed by humans, especially by small children, melamine can cause kidney stones and other potentially fatal complications.

Today the scare of the tainted (contaminated) milk is spreading fast and most Countries are taking serious steps to avoid the milk getting to its shores! Most countries have banned the import of Chinese dairy products.

The dreaded chemical (melamine) that makes the formulas "tainted" has also been found in ice cream! Now this is really scary considering that ice cream is consumed by most humans today.

About 20% of the dairy companies tested in China had sold products tainted with melamine. Suppliers to the companies are thought to have added the banned chemical, normally used in plastics, to watered-down milk to make it appear higher in protein.

You can read more stories by clicking the links below:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-09-17-china-babyformula_N.htm

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2008/09/200892435458424120.html

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/09/25/china.milk/index.html

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Some weeks ago in Nigeria, reports had it that there was fake "SMA" baby formula in circulation in the Nigerian markets! The question now is WHY ON EARTH will a human being release fake/adulterated products into the market for others to buy?

Please if you are a nursing mother out there, as much as possible let your baby feed on breast milk exclusively for the first six months. Please don't say it is impossible. It is very possible, particularly if you set your mind to it. I am a working mother and I fed my babies exclusively on breast milk for the first 6 months. How was I able to achieve this? Well, I was expressing the breast milk! It was tough though, but I was determined to give the best to my kids.

Mummy I want a baby!

Daughter: Mummy I want a baby
Me: *Looking surprised* Why?
Daughter: We are only two children in this house. Why can't we be more. I want a sister.
Son: I want a brother! Two brothers
Me: Why the sudden need for a baby? Why are you two asking for a baby? Who asked you to tell me this?
Daughter: Nobody. We just want a baby! *hands akimbo*

In order to put an end to this question and answer session. I excused myself and dashed into my room! These children are just amazing. See me see wahahla o! Just as I was thinking of the whole thing, my daughter came into the room and continued from where she stopped.

Daughter: Mummy you know you have 1 sister and 3 brothers. I have only 1 brother. Its not fair.
Me: (I had to hold myself from laughing). I thought we had concluded this conversation.
Daughter: No we have not! Why don't you want to have another baby?
Me: Its not that I don't want to have another baby. I felt we are okay like we are now. But maybe you should pray and tell God what you want. Remember, He is always there for you.
Daughter: Okay I'll pray. "Father Lord give my mummy another baby. In Jesus name I pray. Amen. Mummy say Amen.
Me: Amen.

This happened a couple of months ago!

The conversaion continued last month after I announced that a friend gave birth to a baby girl.

Daughter: That means Zee now has a baby. You see her mummy has given birth to a baby for her. Only you remaining!
Me: Don't worry you'll soon have a baby too.
Daughter: *looking very happy* Eh! So I will soon have my own baby. Thank God!
Me: Now are you happy?
Daughter: Yes I am happy!

The truth is that I just said it to dismiss her. But from the look of things, that was not a mere dismissal!

Mothers Day!

I received this email from a friend and I thought I should share it on this blog.

This is to all Mothers, all Women aspiring to be Mothers someday!

Happy Mother's Day!

A baby asked God, 'They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?'

God said, 'Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you.

'The child further inquired, 'But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy.' God said, 'Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy.'

Again the child asked, 'And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?' God said, 'Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak.

''And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?' God said, 'Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray.

''Who will protect me?' God said, 'Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life.

''But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore.' God said, 'Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you.'

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, 'God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name.'

God said, 'You will simply call her, 'Mom.'