Saturday, February 26, 2011

African Bloggers Statement on David Kato and Uganda


"We the undersigned wish to express our deep sadness at the murder of Ugandan human rights defender David Kato on 26th January 2011. David's activism began in the 1980s as an Anti-Apartheid campaigner where he first expressed a strong passion and conviction for freedom and justice which continued throughout his life. David was a founding member of Sexual Minorities Uganda where he first served as Board member and until his death as Litigation and Advocacy Officer and he was also a member of Integrity Uganda, a faith-based advocacy organization.

David was a man of vision and courage. One of his major concerns was the growth of religious fundamentalism in Uganda and across the continent and how this would impact on the rights of ordinary citizens including lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered / Gender Non-Comforming and Intersex [LGBTIQ] persons. Years later his concerns were justified when the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill backed by religious fundamentalists was outlined in 2009. David was also an extremely brave man who had been imprisoned and beaten severely because of his sexual orientation and for speaking publicly against the Anti-Homosexuality Bill.

Many African political and religious leaders in countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Zambia, Gambia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Malawi and Botswana, have publicly maligned LGBTIQ people and in some cases directly incited violence against them whilst labeling sexual minorities as “unAfrican”.

In October 2010, the Ugandan tabloid, Rolling Stone published the names and photographs of "100 Top homos" including David Kato. David along with two other LGBTIQ activists successfully sued the magazine on the grounds of "invasion of privacy" and most importantly, the judge ruled that the publication would threaten and endanger the lives of LGBTIQ persons.

The court did not only rule that the publication would threaten and endanger the lives of LGBTIQ persons but it issued a permanent injunction against Rolling Stone newspaper never to publish photos of gays in Uganda, and also never to again publish their home addresses.

Justice Kibuuka Musoke ruled that,

"Gays are also entitled to their rights. This court has found that there was infringement of some people’s confidential rights. The court hereby issues an injunction restraining Rolling Stone newspaper from future publishing of identifications of homosexuals."

Every human being is protected under the African Charter of Peoples and Human Rights and this includes the rights of LGBTIQ persons. We ask the governments of Uganda and other African countries to stop criminalizing people on the grounds of sexual orientation and afford LGBTIQ people the same protections, freedoms and dignity, as other citizens on the continent."

Anengiyefa Alagoa, Things I Feel Strongly About

Anthony Hebblethwaite African Activist

Barbra Jolie, Me I Think

Ben Amunwa, Remember Ken Saro-Wiwa

Bunmi Oloruntoba, A Bombastic Element

Chris Ogunlowo, Aloofaa

Eccentric Yoruba, Eccentric Yoruba

Exiled Soul ExiledSoul

Francisca Bagulho and Marta Lança, Buala

Funmilayo Akinosi, Finding My Path

Funmi Feyide, Nigerian Curiosity

Gay Uganda Gay Uganda

Glenna Gordon, Scarlett Lion

Godwyns Onwuchekwa, My Person

Jeremy Weate, Naija Blog

Kayode Ogundamisi Canary Bird

Kadija Patel Thoughtleader

Keguro Macharia, Gukira

Kenne Mwikya, Kenne’s Blog

Kinsi Abdullah Kudu Arts

Laura Seay, Texas in Africa

Llanor Alleyne Llanor Alleyne

Mark Jordahl, Wild Thoughts from Uganda

Matt Temple Matsuli Music

Mia Nikasimo, MiaScript

Minna Salami, MsAfropolitan

Molisa Nyakale

Mshairi, Mshairi

Ndesanjo Macha Global Voices

Nyokabi Musila, Sci-Cultura.

Nzesylva, Nzesylva’s Blog

Olumide Abimbola, Loomnie

Ory Okolloh, Kenyan Pundit

Pamela Braide, pdbraide

Peter Alegi, Football is Coming Home

Rethabile Masilo, Poefrika

Saratu Abiola, Method to Madness

Sean Jacobs, Africa is a Country

Sokari Ekine, Black Looks

Sonja Uwimana, Africa is a Country

Spectre Speaks, Spectre Speaks

TMS Ruge, Project Diaspora

Toyin Ajao, StandTall

Tosin Otitoju, Lifelib

Val Kalende, Val Kalende

Zackie Achmat, Writing Rights

Zion Moyo, Sky, Soil and Everything in Between

Friday, February 25, 2011

Is being Eight years dear Mother...

Dear Mother, Abebi Okin, it's being eight years since you ended your earthly journey.Your prolonged sickness that was later diagnosed as mysthenia gravis, was uncommon but we were looking at something else all the time. The true colour of human nature showed during your predicament. I learnt, I witnessed, I grew up and I suffered, all which you knew and was grateful for. You were a discplinarian with a true heart. You made your mistakes but you would not be judged because your kind is rare. Now there you are and no longer here, a lot is happening but I am staying strong, I pulled myself out of a lot of toxic situations, relationships and events and I wish and hope you would understand. I am doing what is best for me because you taught me well and I miss you for not being here.


My mother, Comfort Bamidele Musiliat Abebi, you are gone but not forgotten. Life is not that rosy but I am stronger, I am the best of me and I am getting better still. I am one independent minded woman, the way you have always thought and noticed. Mother, I have not seen your grave for seven years but you are always present in my thoughts, in my heart and in all I do. I will mention too that my husband lost his dear mother same day two years after you had gone. Well, if you meet, both of you would have a nice time to chat and embrace each other...


Rest in peace dear mother, you will always be remembered as one woman with a true caring and loving heart. REST ON MUM, there are lots to tell you but will tell them to your grave. There are a lot to tell... I still plan to have a Mysthenia Gravis Foundation in your name. Yes I do. This will help others that might suffer like you did... REST ON IYA MI!

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

HE VALUES NOT MY KIND


Women are feeble-minded he said
A hormonal deficiency he hinted
Really?
Women are weak in making decisions?
Women are thoughtless, foolish with low intelligence?
What anatomy have you studied?
What theory are you propounding?
Not that I guess but I know this not to be true
I can’t shake the feeling though of how lowly he thinks of my species
Of what opinion he has concerning the bringers of life
The raisers of kings and queens
The other half of the human race
It is but a fact that many have played down their intelligence
to satisfy the egoistic attitude of their men
Many that are culturally and religiously taught to obey their men at all cost
And lied to to believing that their hormone differences equals low intelligence
Many still will rise against all odds to challenge the status quo
My learned ex-tutor whom I believed to be open-minded
Thought my kind to be feeble-minded and used the ‘f’ word freely
Then I query, what am I doing in his space
If he thought me and my kind to be feeble-minded?
If he values not my kind?
Am I not so low in intelligence to be in his presence?
Incapable of decision making to earn his respect?
I ask again, what am I doing in his presence and space?
Yeah feeble-minded, he thinks of my kind!


Tuesday, February 22, 2011

............LS AND I............


The fantasy, the flashes and the flushes
The idea and reality of it
LS and I

The moments we cannot take back
Lingered on in the memory
Illuminating the mind and soul

Vivid is yesterday
The singular passionate kiss
The fire extinguished for eternity

The music at Bukoye’s abode
Forever in mind and soul
Where it plays on for all eternity

Time has passed, the world has changed
The feelings never to be rekindled
An indication of a goodbye to yesterday

Time to face reality
To snap out of yesterday
And embrace today without LS and I

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

FOR SALE: HP WINDOW 7 LAPTOP






Still very new and sophisticated HP Laptop!

Spec: HP G62-144DX NOTEBOOK, 500GB hard drive, 4GB RAM, 2.13 GHZ window 7 with Intel HD Graphics, Webcam, High Speed Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 16.9 LED HP Bright view.

Price (Negotiable) N120, 000.

If interested: contact ‘Toyin @ 07066247947 or teeajao@yahoo.com

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Blind Trust At Its Peak

I meant to bear my heart out on how deep I now see and witness corruption in Nigeria. I wanted to talk about my experience visiting Kirkiri, my exprience dealing with a unprofessional and unscrupulous laywer but something else has suddenly occupied my mind and I really want to share. This is one of the reasons I don't do religion any more, why I believe in building my own relationship with God and why I will rather trust my instinct and not think a pastor has it all, knows it all and is always Godsend!


A struggling guy eventually got a car from his company after 3 years of a loyal service. They had an arrangement for him to pay it off from his salary in a convenient manner. Well, the obedient and pastor-trusting guy, went to his church to get his car blessed. The pastor then saw a vision to collect the car and use it for 3 Months for God to surprise this guy as He promised in the vision. The pastor-trusting guy gave the car to his Godsend pastor. 7 Months later, he went to collect his car back but the pastor still ask him to believe and hold on for the micracle of multiple cars that will come his way. The case has now being taking to Lagos State Mediation Centre. I won't be surprised if this pastor has changed all the particulars to his name since the nice guy conveniently gave them away.


And this guy will still not let the church members know anything about this whole drama in order not to ruin his God's work. God's work? How many people will this pastor tell vision of bring your money, your house, your wife and they will gullibly believe it Where is the sanctuary of safety? I guess the only sanctuary of safety is in building a direct relationship with God and trusting Him and not be afraid to say no to all the so-called people of God if you have to!

My Passion, my focus, the change that I want to see in the world - is my propellent factor.

Label Cloud

Gender (72) Feminism (46) Interview Thursday (46) Gender Equality (38) Gender and Development (29) Cat lover (24) Poem (24) Cat Tuesday (22) Women's Human Rights (19) Cats World (16) 16 Days of Activism (11) Africa (11) Violence Against Women (8) Information Sharing (7) Music (7) Nigeria Development (7) Women and Leadership (7) Children Rights (6) Exprience (6) Leadership (6) Rest in Peace (6) Change and Development (5) Corruption (5) Day to Day Exprience (5) Events (5) Governance (5) MDGs (5) Peace and Security Fellowship for African Women (5) Relationship (5) Security and Development (5) Women (5) Call for Application (4) Change Maker (4) Dairy (4) Mistake (4) Navy abuse of Uzoma Okere (4) Nigeria in Focus (4) Relationship and Marriage (4) The Feminist Cats (4) BlogHer (3) Chicago July Trip (3) Children (3) Discrimination Against Women (3) Domestic Violence (3) Injustice (3) King;s College Fellowship (3) Lessons (3) Niger Delta Crisis (3) Online Community (3) Religion Matters (3) Travelling (3) Wedding (3) Women Activists (3) Women Empowerment (3) Women in Governance (3) Youth (3) democracy in Nigeria (3) 2009 Edition (2) A girl-Soldier (2) Activism (2) Annivesary (2) BlogHer Conference Scholarship (2) Bloggers for life (2) Democracy and its Struggle (2) Female writers (2) Forced Marriage (2) IAC09 (2) ICT4D (2) International Wome's Rights Day 2008 (2) Journey to London (2) LGBTI (2) Lack of respect for other people's perspectives. (2) Life from Cape Town in South Africa (2) Lovely Cats (2) Male Child Preference (2) Male Child and Domestic Chores (2) Memories (2) My Boss (2) My life in London (2) Nigerian Youth and Development (2) Nigerianstalk (2) No to VAW (2) Rape (2) Sexual Violence and GBV (2) Taking Peace and Security (2) Technology Camp for Girls (2) The Admired Female Bloggers (2) The Changemakers (2) The Future of Nigerian children (2) The Late Kudirat Abiola's Remembrance (2) The Martyr of Democracy (2) The girl child and her chanllenges (2) Untimely death (2) Uzoma Okere court hearing (2) V-Monologues (2) Violation of Human Rights (2) Women making a difference (2) 10 years remembrance for the O.A.U 5. (1) 1in 9 Campaign (1) 2010 self-surfacing resolutions (1) A Ride with my Father (1) A just world with God (1) ALF Program (1) AWID Forum 2008 (1) Activism Scholarship (1) Adaeze Experience (1) African Sexualities (1) Aspiring Filmmaker (1) Bad Leaders (1) Beating by a mad man (1) Becoming my Cats (1) CSDG (1) Career (1) Child Marriage (1) Children without education (1) Children without future (1) Climate Change (1) Conflicts (1) Corrpution and Hooliganism (1) Court System (1) DLTW for Young Female Doctors (1) Democracy Day (1) Divorce and Marriage (1) Dupe In Kenya (1) ECOSAP (1) Evangelist Taye Ajiboye (1) Extreme poverty (1) Female Circumcision (1) Female Film-Makers (1) Girls in Technology (1) Global Warming (1) Government (1) Hafsat Abiola and KIND (1) Human Behaviour and attitudes (1) I didn't do it for you by Michela Wrong (1) ICT and Women (1) Images from Mali (1) Incest (1) Indecent Dressing Bill (1) Info -Activism (1) Internattional Bloggers Community Award (1) Job Search (1) Journey across Africa (1) June 8 and Abacha’s death (1) Kenya July Trip (1) Knowing our continent (1) Lagos State Government (1) MOBILIZATION (1) Mali (1) Marriage (1) Michela Wrong book on Eritrea (1) Mother 6th Remembrance (1) Movement Building. AWID Forum 2008 (1) My first post from London (1) My health (1) NDQ Interview (1) Naija Blogger Awards 2009 (1) Natural Hair (1) Negative quotation on women (1) Newspaper review (1) Nigeria Media (1) Nigerian Sporting Activities (1) Nigerians and Abacha’s death (1) No light (1) No to FGM (1) Obama Prank (1) Outsanding Ore (1) PHCN and Nigeria Government (1) Passing though Ghana (1) Passing through Burkina Security and Development (1) Pastor Kehinde Ajiboye (1) Peace and Secuirty issues in the Horn (1) Police Force (1) Polygamist (1) Pregnancy and child bearing in marriage (1) Punishment of an elderly woman in Saudi (1) Rape Victim (1) Road and Bus Evangelism (1) Road trip to Mali (1) SOLIDARITY WTH WOMEN WHO SPEAK OUT (1) Self Defence for Women (1) Senseless killing by armed robbers (1) Serious Issues (1) Standtall Adevnture (1) Suicide bombing (1) Summit (1) Tactical Tech (1) Take Back the Tech (1) Tell Magazine (1) Terrorist Attack (1) The Uncoventional Clergy woman (1) The Bauchi Killings (1) The EU Summit Report (1) The Eritrea history (1) The July 10 Martyr (1) The Liberian Women peace building effort (1) The O.A.U 5 (1) The PM Tabloid (1) The danger of a single story (1) The late social Crusader (1) The meeting with London Bloggers (1) The rescued kitten (1) This Violence must stop (1) Tips to having a Happy Relationship (1) Traditional Role (1) Transforming Nigeria (1) Travelling through Africa by Road (1) Tribute to Chief Gani Fawehinmi (1) Tyranny (1) Umar Mutallab (1) Understanding Security (1) Uzoma's Justice (1) Verastically Vera (1) WORLD AIDS DAY (1) We need peace in our land (1) Women E-Campaigners` Training (1) Women In Technology. ICT4D (1) Wrong Culture and Belief (1) Yar'adua (1) Youth as agents of Change (1) meeting US bloggers (1) my love (1)