Do Nigerians read? Molara Wood reports that last year there was an appeal to compile the Best Books of 2004: readers’ choice (after successfully putting together Best Books of 2004: Writer’s Choices) in a national newspaper. However only 5 people responded to the national campaign. Currently Nigeria has a population of over 120million people with 68% literacy. Drop the literacy level to 35% and we still don’t have an excuse.
This year, she hopes to attract more people to contribute to Reader’s Best Books of 2005 particularly from the Nigerian blogsphere. The best 25 contributions will be published in a national newspaper in Nigeria and best of the rest will be published on her personal blog. Make sure your send your contributions in by December 15.
— The rebirth of ankara, “possibly the only fashion fabric that is still manufactured in Nigeria”. #
— Interview with Oando’s CEO, Wale Tinubu. Oando is the first Nigerian company to list on Johannesburg Stock Exchange (secondary listing). #
— What happens when you agree to go on a date with your boss’ friend, two years later - the situation will hunt you. You will need some pizza to go with it. Trying ordering here. #
— Apple is planning to launch entry-level laptops (~$699) next month to compete with Dell and Sony according to thinksecret. This could prompt a repeat of the August mayhem for macs in Virgina. Ok maybe not! #
— 10 tips for reading blogs. Using Bloglines (highly recommended), “Organise your categories not by topic but by importance and/or reading frequency.” (1)
— Wilf Petherbridge, a 15 year old has been elected as the junior mayor of Lewisham, London. The last junior mayor, Emanuel Hawks had a blog. Lets hope Wilf continues the tradition. #
This year over 200,000 Nigerians died of AIDS and there is currently a HIV population of 4.5 million people (source). Another source estimates that 300,000 Nigerians died in 2004. As one would expect, poor health service, associated stigma and lack of sex education for young people are the factors that have contributed to spread of HIV in Nigeria.
Things are improving slowly but more needs to be done and the 14th International Conference on HIV / AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) to be held in Abuja next week should hammer home a few points (via abujacity).
Mental Acrobatics poses a good question, “How do you tackle AIDS as an African writer/writer who happens to be African/blogger of African origin/African blogger?”. Owukori interviews Rose, who shares her personal experience of living with AIDS:
At the time it was simply a death sentence and I was told that I would probably be dead within a year. This year turned into two, three, four five and now its 19 years.
The interview illustrates the topical stigma attached with AIDS.
Don’t assume everyone knows about AIDS, at least that was what Adrian found on his recent trip to Zimbabawe:
I’m in my thirties whereas each of the others were at least fifty. The conversation started with one of the men saying ‘ I don’t know what is happening to all our young people in this country. They are all dying.’ I was stunned by his words. I knew all about the conspiracy of silence that surrounds HIV/AIDS but this did not seem like a man in denial. The other men nodded in agreement. None of them knew what was happening to their youngsters either. I wanted to scream at them ‘They are dying of AIDS for God’s sake!!!’ but I said nothing.
He also has some moving stories about the state of the health service in Zimbadawe and the carefree attitude of a friend toward unprotected sex (via sokwanele).
— Max Stafford-Clark’s diary on taking Macbeth to Nigeria. [via Jeremy]
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As we approach the festive season, mobile phone operators (Orange, t-mobile and O2) in the UK are offering free pay-as-you-go sim cards to attract your custom. Click the links below to vist the offer page (No, I don’t get paid for every sim you get).
Delivery is usually within 28days. Make sure you take a quick glance at terms and conditions. Keep up with the latest offers here.
