ELVIRA’S PEN

Nigeria… often called the Giant of Africa. But beyond its size, population, and energy, there’s something even more powerful that defines it diversity. This is a country made up of over 250 ethnic groups..yes 250! each with its own identity, traditions, and way of life. And within these groups are languages, stories, and histories that have been passed down for generations. In the Southwest, the  Yoruba  people speak the  Yoruba language , rich in proverbs and expressions that pass wisdom from one generation to the next. In the North, the  Hausa  people speak  Hausa , one of the most widely spoken languages in West Africa, used not just in Nigeria but across borders. Alongside them are the  Fulani , who speak  Fulfulde , and the  Kanuri , known for the  Kanuri language , rooted in the history of the Kanem-Bornu Empire. You’ll also find groups like the  Nupe , who speak  Nupe , and the  Gbagyi  people around central Ni...

Ibadan, Nigeria – April 12, 2026 Stakeholders from across the water, civil society, and labor sectors convened in Ibadan for a one-day training on legislative bill drafting focused on advancing water justice in Ekiti, Oyo, and Lagos States. The training which was organized by the Ecumenical Water Network Nigeria as part of her ongoing project “Voices for Water Justice in Ekiti, Lagos and Oyo States of Nigeria” held at the Conference Hall of the Institute of Church and Society, brought together union representatives, policy advocates, and water sector experts to strengthen collective efforts against water privatization and promote equitable access to water. In his opening remarks, Reverend Kolade Fadahunsi, Director of the Christian Council of Nigeria’s Institute of Church and Society, emphasized the critical link between water, food, and climate within the broader ecological framework. He highlighted the growing concerns around water accessibility, affordability, and availability, ...

THE GENERAL EARTH ENERGY- Elvira Jordan Good Morning Beloved! 🥂 How has your environment influenced you this period? How has the media space been for you lately? I mean radio, television, social media. What has been the predominant narrative? Except you are tuned to a different media in a different world, it is predominantly flooded by negativity, distractions from reality, money worship, separation, bad news, chaos, war, sexuality and death. It seems like whenever I see a television or pick up my phone, it’s either scores of people were killed somewhere, accidents destroying lives and properties, threats of war, contents that commonize sex and substance abuse, display of extravagant lifestyle or some doom-activist trying to brainwash men into hating women and vice versa. You cannot scroll through 5 TV channels or social media posts without getting at least 3 negative occurrences somewhere.  It is true that bad news sells but have you ever wondered why the beauties of life, colour...

Have you ever seen a figure covered head to toe in colorful costumes… dancing, chasing people, or commanding silence in a crowd? That… is a masquerade. But in African culture, especially here in Nigeria, a masquerade is far more than entertainment. A masquerade is believed to be the  embodiment of a spirit , sometimes an ancestor, sometimes a deity brought to life through masks, costumes, music, and performance. Once the mask is worn, the performer is no longer seen as human… but as a spiritual presence among the people. These traditions date back centuries and play powerful roles in society ranging from storytelling and festivals to justice, spirituality, and even community protection. Now let’s explore some  notable masquerades and their origins. First, the legendary  Ijele masquerade , often called the King of all masquerades. Originating from the Igbo people, Ijele is massive, sometimes as tall as a house! It can take months to prepare and a whole team to carry. Ijele...