ADEREMI'S NOTEBOOK

— The current education system promotes the sciences. This system was created to meet the demands of the Industrial Revolution. Sir Ken Robinson argues its time to shift towards an education system which nurtures creativity. Watch his entertaining presentation on TED. (1)

— NYT’s Michael Wines on whether helping a source is ethical: “In reputable journalism, paying for information is a cardinal sin…So what to do when a penniless father asks why he should open his life free to an outsider when he needs money for food?” #

— Picturing Nigeria “is a photographic exploration of Nigerian cities, initiated to display everyday life and everyday sights of Nigeria”. The site is also available in Yoruba. (4)

— Open Democracy’s Ron Singer interviews Wole Soyinka, who recently published his memoir, “You Must Set Forth at Dawn“. #

Nigeria in 1951 (5)

© David Jefferies (click on the image to see the full picture)
I found the Diary of A. Margaret Jefferies (via Rabinal) which was written on her trip to Nigeria in 1951. Just to warn in advance that you may find some of the comments offensive. This picture of a young kid giving change is a reminder how little Nigeria has changed.

— A couple of guys at Imperial College, Folabi Ogunkoya and Lawrence Bassey-Oden have launched Caramellounge, “a social network for Africans, Caribbeans, African-Americans and anyone interested in Afro-Caribbean culture.” Read the press release. (1)

— An email written by a Citigroup intern, Lucy Gao is currently doing rounds in the city. She sent an email inviting friends to her 21st Birthday party, a Champagne Reception at the Ritz. The email contained detailed instructions. The funniest, “the more upper-class you dress, the less likely you shall be denied entry. (2)

— Mona has an amazing tribute post on Fela. Whilst I may not agree with everything Fela said or did, he was one of the most talented musicans of our time. Another piece on Fela by Bayo Martins. (2)

— 10 Commandments for Developing Countries by Kishore Mahbubani. I must reflect on Rule No.10: “Thou shalt not abandon hope. People are the same the world over. What Europe achieved yesterday, the developing world will achieve tomorrow. It can be done.” #

— Zimbabwe, a nation of millionaires who can’t afford to buy anything: “I went to pay some local taxes the other day and it took over an hour for them to count out the Z$41 million I owed. It’s crazy.” But some changes are been made, “zero to hero“. #