Funny tweets about 'Maya' and the' world coming to an end' by Don Abiodun Odedeyi

As we hurtle toward the end of
2012, the conversation about a certain date with roots in an ancient Maya calendar has reached a fever pitch.

Check out some hilarious tweets about Maya and the world coming to an end.

Video Game Facts™ @VideoGamesFacts
If the #Mayans were right, you only have about 12 hours to game. If you were ever going to over heat your console, now's the time!

Harry Potter™ @ThatBravePotter
Dear #Mayans, The world won't end tomorrow because Harry's kids go to Hogwarts on September
1st, 2017.

Rod Walker @rwalker1906
I'm sure going to be mad if I pay this cell phone bill today and the world ends tomorrow. # mayans

J o e e y @JOE_GALLAGHER1
NASA has confirmed that December 21, late afternoon, the sky will be very dark. It is an interesting phenomenon called "night."

Greek Gent @GreekGent
BREAKING NEWS: The world just ended in Australia! It's happening by timezone! Not really. Go worry about something that matters. # Mayans

Funny Tweets @FunnyOrTruth
According to #Mayans calendar the real date of an apocalypse is October 21 in 4772. That's more than 2500 years in the future.

Laura Freed @heyLauraFreed
Duh! The world as we know it ended on Nov 6th, 2012 when morons voted in Obama "I got a task force for that." # Mayans

Calestous Juma @Calestous
The #Mayans didn't lie. It was an experiment to test human credulity. Early results from #Kiribati confirm hypothesis.

Alex Papasozomenos @alexplovesldn
#Mayans is trending. THEY DON'T EVEN EXIST ANYMORE

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Monopoly moves to Africa with Lagos edition

Some 80 years after its first launch, the iconic board game of Monopoly has finally released it's first African city edition.

A Lagos-themed version of the popular real estate game was unveiled earlier this week, making Nigeria's bustling economic capital the first city in the continent to have a dedicated Monopoly edition.

"Lagos is special, it's a megacity, one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa," says Nimi Akinkugbe, head of Bestman Games which is distributing the Lagos edition.

"But apart from that, Lagos also holds a very special place for Nigerians all over the world. There are about 15 million Nigerians in the diaspora who are very nostalgic about Lagos; it's not just for Lagosians but for people all over the world," she adds.

The affluent Banana Island, a man-made waterfront community boasting multi-million dollar mansions and manicured lawns, was revealed as the game's most expensive property, joining Boardwalk in the standard U.S. edition and Mayfair in the London version.

Many of the squares for the game's upmarket locations feature sponsorship from banks, radio stations and shopping centers. In contrast, the square dedicated to the floating shantytown of Makoko, which is the cheapest piece of real estate in the Lagos edition of the game, was left unsponsored.

Local officials were heavily involved in bringing Monopoly to the sprawling metropolis of some 15 million people. Their goal was partly to promote the city's rich history and landmark sites but also to encourage responsible behavior and inform citizens about laws that are often overlooked.

"You've been caught driving against traffic. Report for psychiatric evaluation," is the message on one Chance card, which issues a fine -- in line with the laws introduced recently by the local government to deal with the city's major traffic problem.

Another card reads: "For using the overhead pedestrian bridge on Worodu (Ikorodu) Road, move forward three spaces." Akinkugbe explains that many lives have been lost as people tend to cross the express highway by running across the road. "By rewarding the person that uses the overhead bridge by moving forwards three spaces, slowly it begins to sink in," she says.

And there are also references to Nigeria's corruption problem: "For attempting to bribe a law enforcement agent, pay a fine," says another card "This gives us an opportunity to educate the public about those things," says Akinkugbe.

"[It's about] penalizing negative behavior and rewarding good behavior but in a fun and enjoyable way. We all know that learning through play is one of the most powerful forms of learning because it is not forced but is done in a relaxed, easy way."

Akinkugbe says that two other African countries -- South Africa and Morocco -- have a version of Monopoly, but Lagos is the only city in the continent to have its own edition. She says that the Lagos game was sold out within 24 hours of it's release, as about 4,000 people got their hands on it.
"Thousands of Nigerian families they are going to be playing Monopoly over Christmas, having a good laugh and learning at the same time, and just appreciating the city," she says.

Culled from CNN
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Coming soon: Islamic Microfinance

Three-day 'Global Islamic Microfinance Forum' held between 8th-10th December 2012, in Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE saw delegates from UAE, Pakistan, India, UK, Bangladesh, USA, UK Bahrain, Yemen, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Kirghizstan, Mauritius, Kenya, Canada, France, Egypt, Philippine, Uganda, Iraq, Nigeria, Sudan along with delegates from other countries brainstorming on the role of Islamic Microfinance in poverty alleviation, Shariah and related issues of Islamic Microfinance Institutions and their solutions.

Representatives from microfinance institutions from 27 countries expressed their intent to unify their efforts for poverty alleviation and social development through Islamic Microfinance.

Speaking on the successful completion of the forum, Zubair Mughal - Chief Executive Officer AlHuda Centre of Islamic Banking and Economics highlighted that the assemblage of a large number of institutions on the forum of Islamic Microfinance is a clear indication that it is the only viable solution of poverty alleviation around the globe.

He urged the World Bank, IDB, USAID, IFC and other international institutions to include Islamic Microfinance in their priority list for social development and poverty eradication; otherwise the achievement of Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations will not be possible.

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Fight against deforestation in Nigeria: Ogun State Confiscates Timber Worth millions of Naira

The Ogun State Government, South West Nigeria, has confiscated woods and timbers worth millions of naira felled illegally by timber merchants at Ajibandele Village in Area J6, Forest Reserve of the State.

Commissioner for Forestry, Engr. Ayo Olubori who made this known in Abeokuta while conducting newsmen round the confiscated woods, described the act as the peak of confrontation with government, especially at a time the State Government had suspended activities in all it's forestry reserves.

"I think this is outrageous and infact, the peak of confrontation that government had ever received from the daring illegal wood traders and smugglers." He said.

Engr. Olubori said the combing and 24hrs surveillance of the nine forest reserves by the government at the moment resulted in the feat.

"We got a tip off from the people and reacted spontaneously and when we got to the spot where the illegality took place, the hooligans took to their heels having sighted us, though we demobilized about nine lorries and tractors, we ensured that we evacuated every plank we met in the bush that night though it was late, around 3.am. We were there till daybreak until we evacuated every plank there down to Abeokuta," he explained.

Commending those who gave the tip off for their patriotism, Olubori declared remained unperturbed about the antics of the unscrupulous elements involved in the act and assured that Government was equal to the task of stopping the illegal merchants that were hell bent on stealing the common wealth of the people.

He also emphasized that activities all the forest reserves in the State remained suspended and would resume as soon as due consultations by government with relevant stakeholders are concluded.



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JUSTICE IS ON SLOW-MOTION by Adedunmade Onibokun Esq.

In the Nigerian Law School, it is mandatory that each student participates in a court attachment
exercise, a period whereby students are attached to courts in other for them to experience first hand the rules and procedures of the court
system.

I remember walking into the halls of the Federal High Court, Abuja during my attachment dressed in my white shirt, dark suit and black tie as is the usual custom, filled with a great sense
of purpose after winking at the blindfolded babe outside who held the sword and the balancing scales, lady justice was to be my bride after my call - to - bar ceremony, it was essential we had a relationship.

Anyway, while sitting in the court room, taking notes, watching lawyers try to outsmart one another and observing the grim looks on the faces of witnesses and accused persons alike, I noticed one thing, "adjournments". Oh my goodness, every matter got adjourned, sometimes for months at a time and i always wondered why.

Even as a practicing lawyer, i still wonder why. I have come across cases that have been in court for almost 12 years, what am I saying, i know one that has been in court since 1986, i am sure lawyers and others who have been to the courts know what i am talking about.

How can it still be regarded as justice if it takes me 5 years or more for the High Court to deliver judgment, keeping in mind that if the courts' decision goes on appeal, we could still be litigating for another 5 or 7 years.
Imagine how i felt when trying to explain to a client in court that our matter had been adjourned for the 5th time,1 year after filing court papers, we were still yet to see the judge eye to eye.

I am not blaming the judges, even they will tell you that sometimes the lawyers bring up all sort of applications in a bid to stall the proceedings. I am however blaming the "law". I mean the rules of court.

This issue has been judicially noticed and some credible steps have been taken to speed up the court process, for instance: the Electoral Act now provides that election tribunals are given accelerated hearings and same also apply to issues bothering on fundamental human rights but that is not enough.

All matters before the court, either: Civil or Criminal, should be given accelerated hearing, I propose that all matters in court must not exceed a maximum of 180 days from the date of filing whether in the Magistrate court, High Court, Court of Appeal or Supreme Court.

With the rampant allegations of corruption within the Nigerian Judicial System, the common man has lost faith in the courts, he believes justice is for the rich or well connected.

The Court which should serve as a champion for the average Nigerian who has no blood or political ties to people in power is alleged to now be the piper who plays the tune of the wealthy few who pay bribes. We need reforms,the judiciary needs reforms and we need it like yesterday.
Adedunmade Onibokun Esq.
@adedunmade
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Microfinance, Empowerment and Poverty eradication in Africa by Don Abiodun Odedeyi

Mrs Doyin Folorunsho Adebari sells toys in Makoko, a suburb of Lagos, South West Nigeria. She arranges her wooden stall early before school children even thought of waking up, cleans her environment and then display her wares.
Her first customer usually arrives at about 7:15am, that's one hour after she got to the same spot.
With a two-inch square umbrella, she painstakingly wait till 2:00pm when school children will be on their way home again and maybe sell some toys again.
Her total goods of 50,000 naira ($340), sent in fragments of profits that did little on her daily needs.
A visit by her long time friend changed everything.

"Mama Sarah introduced me to Susu Microfinance Bank, she took a loan from the bank months earlier and her business took a new turn."
Mrs. Toyin took out micro-loans to grow her business and hopes to provide improved living conditions for her children.
MICRO-LOAN
Micro-loan is a product of Microfinance. It is the supply of small loans to the poor.
It's daisy as many reject seeing themselves in the light of their present status: 'poor'
The word 'poor' mean "having little money", "lack or scarcity of quantity".
If you are down, don't play lip service about how mighty and high you are.
Self discovery is the first step out of a mess.
If you have little or no money, or means of creating wealth (big or small), you are poor.
It's easy to imagine that poor people don't need financial services. But poor people are of two types
1. Economic Active Poor
2. Non-Active Poor
ECONOMIC ACTIVE POOR
These are people who have skill(s) or trade that can yield income. They've practice or are practicing but their capacity to expand contribute to the national wealth is cut short due to financial constrain.
NON-ACTIVE POOR
Poor people who have no skill in a trade or engage in any act that yield income. If empowered, these category of people will cater for their utmost need first rather than invest in productive venture(s).
Microfinance institutions are established to cater for Economic active poor so as to empower them in their transition from dependent status to independent status as well as contribution to national GDP.
EMPOWERMENT
Empowerment, a near non-existing element in developing countries, still remains a major channel to financial freedom.
Empowerment increases the capacity of individuals or groups to make and transform choices into desired actions. These actions build both individual and collective assets, and improve their efficiencies.
If you have little or no money and you are skilled in a trade that yields income, your road to light is half-way done, empowerment through
ROAD TO RECOVERY
Mrs. Doyin walked into Susu Microfinance Bank located in Lagos, Nigeria 8 months ago, she saved $80 in 6 weeks. During this time, she attended a neigbhourhood meeting with other customers of the bank.
After six weeks of once in a week meeting and financial advice, she was given a loan of $400, no collateral!

Two weeks ago, Mrs. Doyin got another $800 loan. Only this time, she won't be showcasing her wares by the side of the road, taking shelter from the scorching sun. If you want to patronize her, you need to walk down Ajilete Street, number 4 Makoko: her new shop.
With no other shop like it, the neigbhourhood of Makoko now have a new super-mart.
Mrs. Doyin's next loan can be as high as $1300 (depending on her repayment record) and she is already thinking of what to do with the large sum.
"I want to open a new shop five streets from here, I want to diversify; sell food stuffs", a glitz smile filled her eyes.
She got the money to transform her business plus standby managers who advice on how best her investment can succeed.
Written by Don Abiodun Odedeyi
Twitter: @abiodunodedeyi
Facebook: Don Abiodun Odedeyi

Ban Ki-Moon's remarks to UNFCCC COP18 High-Level Segment 4 December 2012, Doha Qatar

Salaam aleikum.
I am honoured to be with you, and I thank the State of Qatar for its hospitality in organizing this very important conference.
This is the first time the UNFCCC has held it's Conference of Parties in this pivotal region.
It is an important signal that all regions have a role to play in solving the climate crisis, and all are resolved to do so.
Let us be under no illusion. This is a crisis, threat to us all, our economies, our security and the well-being of our children and those who will come after.

The danger signs are all around.
One-third of the world's population lives in countries with moderate to high water stress, land degradation affects 1.5 billion people, icecaps are showing unprecedented melting; permafrost is thawing; sea levels are rising.

The abnormal is now the new normal.

This year, we have seen Manhattan and Beijing under water, hundreds of thousands of people washed from their homes in Mozambique, Nigeria; Colombia; Peru, the Philippines; Australia. From the United States to India, from Ukraine to Brazil, drought decimated essential global crops.

Across the Sahel, from Mali to the Horn of Africa, tens of millions of people endured another year of vulnerability, at the mercy of the slightest climate shock.

No-one is immune to climate change -- rich or poor.

It is an existential challenge for the whole human race – our way of life, our plans for the future. We must take ownership; We, collectively, are the problem... Then we should have the solutions.

Greenhouse gas emissions are the highest they have ever been.
We are in a race against time to stay below the agreed threshold of 2 degrees centigrade above pre-industrial levels that will avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

Every delay means greater future effort – or greater future harm.

Just this month, reports from UNEP, WMO and the World Bank again drew attention to the growing dangers.

But they also sound a hopeful note by
highlighting that we have the resources – financial and technological -- to rise to the challenge.

They also conclude that acting now makes better economic sense than allowing further delay.

That is why it is imperative that we act now, with urgency and with clear purpose – both in these negotiations and in our countries, our cities, our businesses, our homes.

Many of you have already started.
Policies and actions to take us into a sustainable, clean energy future are being pursued more broadly and with greater determination.

But the pace and scale of action are still not yet enough.

We have a responsibility here in Doha to sustain the momentum for change so painstakingly built in Bali, Poznan, Copenhagen, Cancun and Durban.
Addressing climate change is essential to sustainable development.
And your work is essential for addressing climate change.
I urge all Parties to work with a spirit of compromise – to take the long view and avoid getting bogged down in minutiae.

Let us ensure that we stay on track for an effective, fair, ambitious and universal climate agreement by 2015.

This week, I hope for five key deliverables by Governments here in Doha:

First, the adoption of a ratifiable second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol. The Kyoto Protocol remains the closest we have to a global, binding climate agreement, It must continue.
It is a foundation to build on. It has important institutions, including accounting and legal systems, and the framework that markets sorely need.
Its continuation on 1 January 2013 would show that governments remain committed to a more robust climate regime.

Second, progress on long-term climate finance.
This is critical to a meaningful climate agreement. Fast-start finance expires soon, developed countries must give their clear indications that scaled-up climate financing will flow after 2012, and that it will be commensurate to the goal of mobilizing $100 billion dollars a year by 2020 from public and private funding.

Third, we must ensure that the institutions set up in Cancun and Durban to support mitigation and adaptation by developing countries -- including the Green Climate Fund and the Climate Technology Centre and Network -- are fully equipped and effective.

Fourth, I expect governments to demonstrate, with no ambiguity, that negotiations on a global and legally binding instrument remain on track.

And fifth, Governments need to show how they intend to act on the gap between mitigation pledges and what is required to achieve the 2 degrees target.
The gap can be bridged but time is not on our side.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let us speed up the transformation we know needs to happen, let us act even as negotiations continue toward a more robust climate regime, let us build creative partnerships that will drive courageous initiatives and innovation.

Let us abandon apathy and embrace ambition.

Let us take inspiration from the solutions we see around us and from the transformations that we know are possible.

Let us prove to future generations that we had the vision to see where we needed to go, and the wisdom to get there. And I count on your vision and your leadership.

Thank you, Shukran jazeelan.

Statements on 4 December 2012

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