GOD IS NOT A LIE

December 19, 2007 at 200700000031p00000031: 2:19 p12 (Community, Journalism Education, NIGERIA, business, create the change, education, god is not a lie, health, leadership, niger delta, politics)
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No one saw the beginning but everyone believes that there was and still is a beginning only a master beginner can push forward into a start.

From where He dwells,He started it, putting the times and seasons into space.The masterpiece beginner,God is He and He is not a lie.

He said He was there and science has not disapproved it. Science lay no claim to be there. Philosophy never equals the height and religion is not on that pedestal.

But God has said so.The Almighty God is not a lie.

Created He the heavens,pitched it above the earth,no pecks and pillars.Created  He the earth.The waters beneath it can not wash ‘earth sand’ away.

The raw materials source, no one yet fathoms. The reservoir of the rivers, no one controls.The whole universe is set in His palm.He wills kings’ hearts as He desires.

This God is not a lie.

In His image, so wonderfully,created Him man/woman.With mercy restore He them to glory when they disobeyed.

Then Jesus,God ;in human form,descended.With Mary,His mother be,Golgotha,the road He tread and Calvary, the shame He bore.

The resurrection,a glory crown,the saved man wears to make eternity rest with Him.When you believe Him for salvation and follow Him where He leads,you shall walk the walk of life,

With a God that is not a lie.

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JOURNALISM:TECHNICAL WORKPLACE CAPABILITY

December 11, 2007 at 200700000031p00000031: 2:19 p12 (Uncategorized)
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When I joined www.rstv22.tv ,I was sincerely happy.I got a journalism work and I knew I was on the path of developing my writing skills.This was important to me.The skill was also what is required for the journalism work. The status of  the organisation at the time and now is also coveted  for its reputation.Being on board for me , was for a mission.

Just in a matters of weeks of four, I have demonstrated  desterity,brought a change in script writing pattern,style and presentation.In no time, I built a convincing confidence in the handling of human angle issues. The inclusion of such angle in the daily bullentin was a good blend with other hard news broadcast.

Not too long from then however, the general manager, had carefully noted my zeal,innovation and style.He had verbally encouraged me to keep the forth on.Remarkably, he noted that though the station could not remunerate me adequately as a notable and dependable professional, he believes and urged me to  hope for requisite remuneration someday ,somewhere,sometime in the future.

With all hope stirred within me, I still await that day,place and time for the reward.But as I discharge my duties and write my scripts,my desk editors had always corrected my use of such word as a reporter and replaced it with correspondent when making reference to my witness account.This does not worry me.After all I am a reporter and does reportorial functions.

There is ,however, a public perception that shows a lack of understanding in knowing the distinction between the two.While this can be overlooked ,it will be grievous if a journalist does not know the difference also.The difference between a reporter and a correspondent is in terms of a generalisation and specialisation.While the reporter covers any variety of occurrencies,the correspondent is seen as a  specialist on a particular subject or country.

Reporters and correspondents,however, can be posted anywhere depending on their position and the company they  work for.Usually, the background they come from is different from the news beat they cover.They may have come straight from training.Some would have moved to television from either radio or print journalism.

A good journalist does not need to have a degree.But a capable journalist must be comprehensively trained in order to function in a highly technical workplace.Where time,technology,contacts, network and adherence to efficiecy in upholding the public good, matters.

A reporter may be selected for his motivation and ability to write.It is expected that he understands a wider content of world affairs.The radio journalist has the challenge to  have a good speech delivery capability.The television journalist needs a good visual delivery to convey news reports and the print journalist should build a good expressive writing delivery capability.

This is not about glamour as to cause distractions but about reflecting”presence” and projecting a “star quality”.Richard Sambrook,head:BBC Newsgathering, called it the ‘x-factor’.That is the love of communicating in manner that takes you >the professional> over to using many abilities.Though reporters  may be shy and introvertic,they would need  to activate an internal switch within their mind to themselves to high performance.

The challenge is enormous but the radio journalist would need to cultivate contact in local community[target audience] know what the listeners want to hear and identify the basic ingredient in a category news[agriculture].He should have special knowledge of the community and respect the values.

The methods used to obtain the news will be much as sourcing,interviewing,writing-up,presentation and reporting.For the print journalist,he is well in border of ensuring that he keeps a contact  book,check facts,have a good knowledge of the local community,read other people’s reports and understand what the competition is producing.One thing that has always marked me out is the beauty of my copy.

This is because I know that a well researched,well written piece with a concise informative,pertinent,attention grabbing and well edited  news script is worth a good journalism.It is not enough to be creative with ideas,you must  be able to spell words correctly, and use grammar in the proper perspective.A news writer would also need literary skill in order to invoke life to the text.

Have aptitude for work.Sharpen “your eye” for the most sedate of news, reporters require cadence and rhythm,if  it is to be printed.Journalists should have good eye for style and adopt good writing skill.Literary style is a distinct way of writing that is defined by the reader as well as the writer in much the same way as an accent or style of speech is used.  

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JOURNALISM:MENTORING FOR GROWTH

December 10, 2007 at 200700000031p00000031: 2:19 p12 (Uncategorized)
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The growing national trend in Nigeria requires that there should be a  decided mandate to provide up coming journalists with professional assistance,guide and advice through mentoring .The older professionals should take the challenge to provide them the friendship an  experienced mentor can give.

Effective mentoring can increased satisfaction and competence in journalism. Consequently, professional growth of mentored journalists should out pace non-mentored ones. This, in turn, increases the retention level of new journalists.

Before selecting mentors for new journalists the process of mentoring should be well understood. The mentoring process includes the relationship of beginning journalist and mentor, the necessary knowledge and skills of mentors, and an accountability system to ensure success.

On-the-job nurturing  is one assured premises for competency.Then requisite support by mentors can accelerate success and effectiveness among beginning journalists as well as prevent some of them from dropping out of the profession or carrying on with shallow knowledge. 

 Because of its importance,there is the need for media organizations and older journalists on the practice to examine the elements of a successful mentoring program.It could be on individual base or at corporate level.The  elements to  include  in the development of a viable relationship between beginning journalist and mentor, the assignment of a mentor who possesses specific knowledge and skills, and the use of an accountability system.

A meaningful relationship between the journalist-mentor and the beginning journalist establishes an effective mentoring experience since the relationship mediates the experiential exchange. Compatibility between the two is based on the interpersonal interactions that occur during the mentoring process. If the personal exchanges between mentor and protégé illicit understanding, caring, and trust then credibility occurs.

 The mentor and protégé’s understanding of each other’s roles and expectations is essential in establishing a basis for compatibility. While mentors tend to have their own ideas about mentoring because of previous experiences, the novice journalist may be uncertain about the mentoring process. Differences in expectations and viewpoints could result in stress and a dysfunctional relationship between mentor and novice journalist. Importantly, the roles and expectations with prospective mentors is in two ways.

First, the  prospective mentors should garner  specific information about the mentoring position. This is at the corporate level. This would include a job description outlining job responsibilities, expected working arrangements, continuing education expectations, types of organizational support/resources, and an accountability system. Secondly, in the application process, the supervising team should always desire to know from the prospective mentors how  to discuss in letter format their views and approaches to mentoring. This discussion would include prospective mentors’ needs, e.g., time, in carrying out the mentoring role.

The team should outline a list of required knowledge and skills mentors should possess to assist beginning journalists’ needs. Such focus area like model,guide,confidant should addressed. The acquisition of this information may require mentors to attend a professional development program. Mentors should view this continuing education both as preparation for their mentoring/supervisory role and as an opportunity to participate in lifelong learning.

First, mentors should be knowledgeable of the beginning journalist’s needs as he progress developmentally as a professional. From the level of a novice advanced beginner, competent journalist, proficient journalist, and expert. Mentors are expected to adjust their mentoring roles (e.g., confidant, counselor, and guide) to meet protégés’ needs as they move through the development stages. Effective mentors help first-time journalists to  deal with the personal issues that arise so that they can focus their attention on the matter of professionalism.

Secondly, mentors, as well as new journalists, should possess good interpersonal skills. The first time journalist doing journalism work under the mentor’s guide can be more an affective experience rather than a cognitive one. In the mentor/beginning journalist relationship, mentors spend much of their time listening, counseling, guiding, supporting, and showing confidence in the novice journalist’s ability.

While mentors provide support and understanding, they must also challenge the new journalists to use their talents to strive for excellence in their professional practice. Moreover, mentors should challenge beginning journalists to be change agents, effecting some change instead of maintaining their status quo.Lastly, knowledge of professional principles is extremely valuable to know how to handle tougher situations that they encouter.

While journalists are formally prepared as events reporters, they may  find themselves tasked to participate in public issues discourse and should be willing and competent to  participate.This journalism mentoring can be one sure way of grooming dependable practitioners. 

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REASONS WHY YOU LOOK ATTRACTIVE

December 10, 2007 at 200700000031p00000031: 2:19 p12 (science)
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Most times, the expression ‘Like father, like son’ is  used to describe a son who is seen to have  behaved in similar  manner akin to his father. Now science is giving evidence that sexy fathers can also give birth to sexy sons,,howbeit in the insect world.However, these findings might apply to humans.

The following account is an information to substantiate the claim of scientists as made public at LiveScience.com Males often give showy displays to attract females in the animal kingdom—from cricket songs to peacock plumes. Scientists had long assumed that attractive males can father attractive sons, but hard evidence supporting this idea is actually scant.

To see if attractiveness can be hereditary, researchers in England focused on the fruit fly Drosophila simulans. Males of the species cannot force sex, meaning any mating that happens is because of male charisma. First, the scientists paired male and female flies at random. They found the length of time it took for them to have sex ranged from two minutes to two hours.

The speed at which mating occurred suggests how attractive the males were. After each male mated with roughly three females, their sons were paired with single females, and the amount of time it took them to score was noted.

The investigators found that attractive males indeed sired attractive sons. “Attractiveness probably can’t be defined by individual characteristics, so there is no single physical attribute that female fruit flies are looking for in a mate,” said researcher David Hosken, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Exeter in England. “However, there is clearly a benefit to females in having sexy sons that are more likely to attract a mate and produce offspring.”

 It is possible that attractiveness is hereditable across the animal kingdom, Hosken said.”It could even be the case in humans that the sexiest dads also have the most desirable sons, which would probably be bad news for my boy,” he quipped. Still, attractiveness may not always prove hereditary in insects and other animals. “In the closely related standard lab fly, Drosophila melanogaster, there is no sons effect,” Hosken told LiveScience.

“Extrapolating from one species to another closely related species should be done with caution. Knowing lots about one species may tell you little about another.” Hosken with Michelle Taylor and Nina Wedell detailed their work in the Nov. 20 issue of the journal Current Biology.

Visit LiveScience.com for more daily news, views and scientific inquiry with an original, provocative point of view. LiveScience reports amazing, real world breakthroughs, made simple and stimulating for people on the go. Check out the collection of Science, Animal and Dinosaur Pictures, Science Videos, Hot Topics, Trivia, Top 10s, Voting, Amazing Images, Reader Favorites, and more. Charles Q. Choi
LiveScience.com 

Dec 7, 9:01 

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BOARDING FACILITIES AT SCHOOLS

December 5, 2007 at 200700000031p00000031: 2:19 p12 (Uncategorized)
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From the nineteen sixties to the early nineteen nineties, public secondary schools in Nigeria provided quality boarding facilities for students.Then it was the prerogative of religious groups to do so because they were running the schools.This was owing to the fact that they were the major investors in the sector.

           Even at the initial stage,when the government gradually took over and played a more supervisory role on schools, boarding facility was admired, coveted and patronized by parents and guardians.That was when educational standard was noble and high with its products fitting properly into the social stream.They contributed meaningfully to the overall development of the society.

       There was high level moral discipline, proper teacher co-ordination and government supervisory function on the system. All these streamlined students academic abilities as the officials saddled with boading house activities were well behaved and demonstrated worthy lifestyle.

        Students then learned to be more tolerant of the opinions of others in the hostels which was invariably transferred to the larger society.They conducted themselves in a more socially acceptable manner.These eventually patterned their social behaviours when they begin to live adult citizen’s life.  

      However, with the decreasing number of boarding facilities, which became noticeable in the mid nineties,only a shadow of the once cherished boarding houses were left;I dare say the entire school system standard. Students now find it difficult to meet the demand of resuming early for school activities.In cases where boarding facilities are provided, they are very expensive for children of low income earning parents.This is a far cry from what it was in the sixties and up to the early eighties.

         Then boarding facilities were cheap and affordable with no financial discrimination in favour of any particular classs,But this financial divide and the nimpling of the powers of the missionaries of the control of schools pushed it farther away from the generlity of the people.The rational why government took over the control of schools is yet to be justified.But that was the genesis of the unimaginable downturn.This is not to say that there were no none boarding students who were coming to school from their homes, but there was the glory of boarding that was not undermined.  

         According to some repondents who lament the situation they said boarding  hostels, especially those which do not have religious supervisors,mostly the privately run schools,are not an impressive place to send ones child.The private schools now provide boarding facilities,doing the best to maintain them.But they are still not what they should be.Boarding facility is almost near none existence in government run schools.

There is the fear that it is a breeding ground of  anti-social activities; disrespect for elders and authorities,coupled with the poor academic performance exhibited by students.High academic performance is a function of good teaching,dedicated teachers and adequate supervision of students’ academic work.  

      Whether restoring boarding facilities will repair the emotional,social and academic backwardness of students that has plagued the educational system was the question News Reporter Tams Gogo Ibulubo doing a report for www.rstv22.tv asked some educationists and parents in Port Harcourt,capital of Rivers State,where the situation is also visible. 

        According to the Mrs Faith Aham Ochi [principal] and Mrs Gladys Akpanah [proprietor] of The Salvation Heights Nursary/ Primary and Secondary School at Elelenwo,Mrs Sofiri Brown of Government Community Secondary School –UBE-[principal] andMrChristopher Okpamo of Dietams nursary, primary and secondary school  said the low moral level of students is not akin to poor hostel facilities alone but a general fall of standard in the system.The lifestyle manifested by youths is a reflection of the disconnect in the social fabric of the society.

          They said at the time when boarding schools were seen as the ultimate place to send students to, there was increased communal life and disciple in the society.They opined that boarding schools then provided an environment where students learned life lessons to adapt to and live an independent citizen’s life as well as tolerating others under a regulated schedule. They further said that under the regulated time table students are groomed for the best of society life and described the facility as the best.       

        Parents like Mr Adeniyi Omoniyi,Mrs Babasanmi Ramatt and Mrs Nnedah Amadi said they would prefer their children go to school from their  home.They alleged that boarding houses have become breeding grounds for social vices,especially when they are not under the surveillance of a school authority with a christian background and discipline.According to them some  parents abandon or give less attention to their children to pursue economic gains.

         They said if parents cut down on the amount of time spent pursuing money and invest same in their children, the needed discipline and academic excellence required of their children or wards would be achieved.

        They decried the situation where school authorities pamper students by providing personnel to wash their clothes, dishes,clean their toilets and surroundings.These,they said negates the essence of sending students to the boarding house. If  students are made to live as a kings and queens  in the hostels ,how can they learn the lessons of appreciating life challenging situations that can confronts people in their social drive to survive.They argued that most modern boading facilities do not make effort to  inculcate in the child the needed emotional balance and disciple to cope in the larger society.

        They wondered why most government now can not sustain their boarding facilities.According to these parents, when the child is with them they endeavoured to give him or her  the best and  required attention for proper growth.  

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