Black and Powerful (#blacknpowerful).

coming on the heels of this years heritage day 24th of September 2016, borrowing word from what the vice president of South Africa said "inclusive African identity" and also the word of Arts and culture Minister "to assert our African Identity", I felt the need to commend the Government for making it possible that the country celebrates its diversity through heritage. It is an encouraging drive at keeping unity through heritage and I evenly hope other countries through out the continent does the same. Africa is on the drive part to newer identity poised by globalization which challenges everything past and present. The hashtag black and powerful is a movement I hope would stick, aimed at encouraging Africans within and those in diaspora to work together to counter stereotype that portrays us in bad light-weak and lagging behind in developments. There is a general belief that the black nation has not fully actualized its dream of development since independence. In moments like these when a lot is going on , there is need to speak in one voice to motivate one another to think and act positive to achieve the desired growth that can uplift us from generational effect of backwardness caused by events such as colonialism and unfortunate results of underdevelopment accompanied by continued plundering of resources which feeds into poverty and consequentially mass migration inside/outside of the continent- outside the continent which is the causes of many death on the Mediterranean a scene we are all familiar with. We can blame it on leadership but still much of it is caused by our inability to appreciate our various diversity which can strengthen our unity,this results in lack of  or absence of unity, love and care which is the foundation of being and belief system-ubuntu.
Events in the states where the lives of black people are constantly under attack requires stronger solidarity from motherland from where black first migrate came from- centuries of hard labor,perseverance seems to be continually forgotten or unacknowledged.
Building stronger solidarity through heritage will assist us in appreciating one another and minimize undesirable journeys of perilous consequences. So, the #blacknpowerful brings black solidarity to the fore through heritage celebration,dispelling negative mentality that we can make it within and anywhere in the world. This help solidify ownership of our own destiny through hard work which is our fore fathers and mothers trademarks for which we are proud of. Celebration of events like these helps to open up avenues for dialogue which further promotes exchange of ideas which we strongly need. So lets make this hashtag a global movement, be an ambassador of what we hope to achieve from peace, growth with development for black is powerful.

Black and powerful I am,
black nation became not of human imagination nor forced migration,
black! It is the act of gods to whom I pay homage
homage for our fathers who laid that foundation.
it remained the strenght to our being,
hard work are sources and greatness thou export,
for from our fathers and mothers far and yonder,
we have made nations stand in awe.
faced by adversity and it's likes,
far from the Americas to the rich world of the west,
we stood yet with all its fantacies,
for proud we are of our own and strides.
Alala! To our mamas and papas of old and now,
we are of yours and still in progress,
even though hard, far and dark
thy sun shall light the part we walk,
Africa! black jewel and still powerful

lets make this trend #blacknpowerful

Remembering today- The Humanitarian Day.

 One Humanity United for Peace

The world is too much for us
why do we fight it?
if greed is not the answer
-yet hungry they go sleeping without,
hoping someone will be considerate
for on this empty belly, what good can they offer.

This world is so large and great
enough to please you and I.
yet we chose to see what divides us
one the owner and controller
the other...
only few has all while many suffers.
there is much we can achieve together
even though blinded by saturated color,
darkness of our own eyes, more of me,
me myself alone.

It is true 'I am because you are'
yet just few preach this gospel of us,
pushing humanity to the brink
with only death and despair
causes to many migrant risk which displace.
what can make us think if only 'I' rules.

think! color or not,
we live and breath just the same air
humanity unite to salvage what is left
for the love of one is peace to all.

(Dedicated to one humanity-Spare a minute for the victims of war/displaced and refugees around the globe).

Long Way Home

Long Way Home

‘Cradle to life ain’t cradle of death’,

Dawn of ’94, mum’ great expectation;

Of a free black, moment in time,

The sprout of a new African dream;

Branches with leaf’ green life sustained.

My sojourn my Damascus.

Had I the betting of a stormy sea?

Should have known; mums undoing.

Mama Africa your children hurt.

Return peace to this troubled land;

We suckled in the greatness of your breast,

In hope of a great African dream;

Alas! We still long,

Longing of thou great continent.

#we are one.(praying for a united Africa)

Alien

Alien

Of common humanity on a common course;

Much freedom of which so denies,

Tangled still between human lives to be,

Of whose course I repeat- no different from thou.

To live as in decency amongst men,

Of now assumed parallel-to be caused.

Could anyone tell of their sins?

Whom felony charged-for their looks,

Are likely to leave towards unknown;

Future with no hope fails folk’s sympathy;

Alien! From and of human causes,

Man where’s thou compassion?

Act not alone but in union of them,

Whose course are no different of thou cause.

#we are one-supporting the fight against xenophobia

MADIBA THE RAINBOW

'Let freedom reign'
what a life we've missed
a man of impeccable quality
crown of human compassion.
Never shall we forget
for a life fulfilled by Wisdom
you have joined our ancestors
please! tell them we still battle for leadership.

(ON THIS DAY THE 06/12/13.A Tribute to MADIBA)
By Chidi Celestine.

THE WORLD IN SEPTEMBER AND BEYOND AN ACHIEVEMENT NOT TO FORGET

The World in September and Beyond

‘Productive engagement is an outcome of intense positive diplomacy’. There are two events that is worth re-looking at in the month of September: the resolution 2118 on Syria on the 27^th in the United Nation Security Council and before then, the 1^st ever United State and Iran official talk in over a decade.

The choice of this two has in it-never experienced tendency in the world high politics. The month proceeding September was filled with heightened tension as the world hoped to see justice done to an act of inhumanity, even though it still remains on the card, as such an act deserved not to be overlooked, the month in September saw a shift from image of a roaming war to intense diplomacy to which the world could breathe a sigh of relief. The eventual outcome is much of broadening of UNSC role and a reduction in the sovereignty enjoyed by states.

It indicate what can happen if and when collective role within Security Council is appreciated and applied on burning world issues-eliminating agentic  role performed by certain individual states. The combination of leadership in Obama lead by Kerry and Putin lead by Lavrov differs significantly Blair/Bush era which was marred by isolation of divergent views leading to near world chaos in their war in Iraq. Notwithstanding ideological differences, a peaceful world is both to the USA/Russian interest. Gone should be the belief in the notion of a chaotic world is beneficial to a section/portion in the world of which they also are part of. Even though Obama/Putin shares no common belief/ideals, such a marriage of convenience at this point in time, is a welcomed development to buttress the point that there are things that we share and that holds us all together-humanity; to which breakthrough in conflict of interest of which diplomacy is credited is in the interest of all. Resolution 2118 can be a starting point for the Security Council to reclaim its role as expected in the vision and charter upon which it was founded.

Shifting further is much a fascinating event as those of the eventual resolution 2118, the first ever official engagement between USA and Iran at the highest level over three decade of face-off. The phone call and eventual meeting itself between Secretary of States and His foreign counterpart in Iran is significant and worth noting. I truly believe and see in Kerry what I may not have admired-statesmanship- and to Obama the possibility of realizing the Middle East peace with such a working combination. This window of opportunity should be grabbed with both hands as such engagement revolves round many issues within Middle Eastern instability.

My belief is, that most of these countries that are difficult to deal with needs the world help of which Iran is no exception. The shift to moderate from hardliner is a silent statement of which the world should not ignore and it’s a welcome move that the Obama administration could see that and willing to engage.

A look at Burma a country USA  the has normalized relation with not in any way comparison to Iran, as this presents a possibility of easing/erasing hotspots for conflict/flashpoints, a benefit the world should hope to see achieved. By engaging with Iran, they like any nations are meant to see the responsibility that is expected of them a member the global community-a responsibly partner to global governance. It leads to an admission that; the policy of isolation sometimes damages the fabric of humanity as it breeds with it radicalism and extremism in some certain quarter who may not share the ideals which we hold in great love- common identity as humanity.

History would be the final judge when the engagement policy of the present USA government is revisited and I hope it would be a model to be adopted going forward even to Israeli/Palestine issue to two state solution.

If dreams were reality, we would like to see September come back as a good story to be told when October has come and gone but not the tell in Kenya and Nigeria where terror attacks still claim lives of innocent. Condolences to the good people affected in these great countries.

Celestine Chidi

ORGANIZATIONAL EVOLUTION WITHIN 21ST CENTURY: A WIN FOR DIPLOMACY

ORGANIZATIONAL EVOLUTION WITHIN 21^ST CENTURY: A WIN FOR DIPLOMACY

 Organizational evolution is of dynamic imperative as we journey through the 21^st century and beyond-time changes so too are its people and organization they belong to so as to avoid it dying a natural death of stagnancy. Close diplomacy of the past is nothing compared to today’s judging from yesterdays outcome which is busted by modern means of communication devoid of speculation. The show of unity by the duo –USA and RUSSIA, is a thing to celebrate.

Who says this two can’t tango on a time like these? Evaluating the mode right after the press conference of a 3 day hard diplomatic engagement between Washington Kerry and Russian Lavrov in Geneva I am optimistic that days ahead in the UN Security Council mode would be somber as everyone think back to events proceeding. It is a diplomatic win for the world. This is a success for the USA and RUSSIA as both sacrificed a lot to get to the point of general agreement expressing satisfaction to their final outcome.

Non lost in my view as both should receive an equal pat on the back, the Obama administration hard stance should be appreciated with great love-for lack of a better word-for pressing the Russian to act on their good friend Assad.

The title organizational evolution within the UN is of great importance.UN has to succeed and can only do so when and while it adapt to meeting the challenges that comes along in its existence. The Syrian crisis unlike any is a challenge of unprecedented magnitude. Was anyone anticipating the polarization it presented as an aftermath? Of course not, the resultant agreement is the best known in recent time between the two great powers. I hope would continue on many issues like nuclear non proliferation and Palestine/Israeli issue.

This friendly relation that emerged from the 3 day hard diplomatic negotiation is only possible when there is an understanding that a stable world is only possible by accepting to work together. Who wants war anyway?  This question should be anchored along with the popular slogan ‘yes we can” attitude in a winning formula.

Against the backdrop of ‘two elephant fighting the glass feels the impact’ should make these two-USA and RUSSIA, understand the hope placed on them to agree to disagree while maintaining world peace. Regardless of the skepticism still left on, solution within the mother organization is essential to maintain the functionality irrespective of who proposes such solution, in effect accommodating of differences of opinion to meet the greater demand of world crisis. Antagonism on issues should be less important and possible outcome like the 14^th day of September presented cherished.

Bravo to diplomacy, we hope the government of Syria appreciate the length walked to achieve what was and such reciprocate by being transparent in all their disclosures. Opposition we hope shall walk the political way as a possible solution to the two and more years of civil war consume lives.

Permit me to add here, may we never lose sight of the vital significance of British parliaments vote which indirectly by virtue of omission or commission helped delay the process of the war or bombing as the case may have been, which if they had voted otherwise would have seen an entirely different scenario.

Celestine Chidi (Student of International Relation and Diplomacy)