ELVIRA’S PEN

  RUSH vs SPEED, THE DIFFERENCE - Elvira Jordan Good Morning Beloved! I must admit that God has been exceptionally good to me in a special way. In my journey of going from nothing to becoming something, it has always been a story of “…thou prepared a table before me…” and it has been a great journey. I won’t even dare to say that it has been easy because it has not. On my journey, I have hit the ground so many times. I have had it tough. I have fought through storms, dirt, deserts, wars and everything else.  Most of my obstacles I would say were as a result of my own ego. Thinking that I was in control of my journey and what my life should be.  I had tried to work things out on my own and make things happen in places that were not meant for me, or at a time that wasn’t mine. At a point in my life, there was this urge to make things happen fast. I started putting in more effort than required and in the process, I started making wrong decisions and desperate moves.  In...

Rev'd Sr Anastasia was recently dismissed from her congregation, after the made an expository post about all that has been going on in the Catholic Church. In a telling social media post, Rev’d Sr. Kinse Annastasia who by her social media bio works at Veritas University, Bwari, Abuja, challenges the Catholic Church to do more to protect Rev’d Sisters in the church. She narrated the ordeal of reverend sisters in the hands of priests and top church authorities. According to her; "Religious Sisters are not ornaments in Habits. We are not commodities for priests to use at will, nor are we mistresses in veils. We are women called by God, consecrated to service, prayer, and the mission of the Church" "Yet too often, behind stained glass windows and polished marble altars, we are treated as less. A priest once told me without shame: “Sisters are meant to be priests’ wives.” He did not say it in jest. He meant it. And he acted on it" "This is not an isolated case. ...

  Let’s talk about some sweet Nigerian delicacies I’m sure you do not want to miss out on. But first, just an overview, Food is a window into people’s culture, natural habitat, and beliefs. A plate of food can tell you about the people who eat it. Nigerian cuisines are rich, vibrant, and packed with bold flavors that reflect the country’s diverse cultures. Whether it’s the smoky goodness of jollof rice, the heartiness of egusi soup, or the spicy kick of suya, each dish tells a story. This diversity is reflected in the many local culinary traditions in choice of ingredients, style of preparation, and cooking techniques. Here are a few of these delicacies… Jollof rice is a beloved West African dish known for its rich, spicy tomato flavor. It’s a one-pot rice dish cooked with a variety of ingredients like vegetables, spices and often meat or fish. Jollof rice is not just a meal; it’s a symbol of cultural identity and unity among West Africans.   Egusi soup is unarguably ...

UGHELLI, Delta State – September 20, 2025 – As the world marked World Cleanup Day, African Centre for Environmental and Rural Development (ACERD) and Ace Recycles Enterprise has issues a powerful call to action, urging a fundamental shift from periodic cleanups to a culture of daily environmental responsibility. The event, organized by Community Development Advocacy Foundation (CODAF), saw all collected plastic waste diverted from landfills and transported to the ACE Recycling center. This strategic partnership underscored a critical message: cleaning the environment and creating economic value are two sides of the same coin. Grace Chukwufumanya Ndobu, founder of Ace Recycles Enterprise, used the platform to engage directly with residents, educating them on the tangible benefits of proper waste segregation and recycling. She began by expressing her profound gratitude for the crucial support from the local government. “We are especially thankful to the Ughelli North Local Government Cha...

A CONTAGIOUS KIND OF JOY - Elvira Jordan Good Morning Beloved! 😊 I hope you all know by now that my write ups are always developed from my own experiences, feelings and thoughts. Yes they are.  I find inspiration in my life. I seek wisdom from my struggles. I create lessons out of my despair.  That’s to make you understand that I don’t write out of a place of feeling complete or perfect. I want you and others to know that whatever we need from life lies deep within us and can be accessed whenever we need. This last few weeks have been one turbulent week for me. A lot of things that were meant to weight me down happened. An annoying encounter with the police, spending money on ventures that didn’t yield. A flooded apartment. Missed contract. Despite these issues, nothing was able to phase my joy. Naaaa! Of course I will always have a few minutes of anger and frustration when something goes awry, but this doesn’t last longer than required because JOY is my default setting. The ...

So, let’s talk about the Benin people of Edo State. These folks are the proud descendants of the legendary founders of the Benin Kingdom, tracing their roots back to  Ogiso   Igodo  himself. They live mainly in Edo State, Nigeria (no surprise there, since the state is literally named after them), especially in seven southern local government areas. Now here’s the fun part: the name “Benin” wasn’t even t heirs originally! The Edo word was  Ubini , which means “livable.” The great ancestor, Pa  Idu , used it to describe the area when they settled there after moving from Lower Egypt. But then came the Portuguese traders around 1485, and well… let’s just say their tongues weren’t ready for Edo pronunciation. They twisted  Ubini  into  Bini , then into  Benin . And just like that, a new name stuck. The Edo people aren’t in isolation, though. They’re closely connected to cousins like the   Esan , the  Etsakọ , the  Isoko , the  ...

Environmental activism and advocacy cannot be considered whole unless the importance of gender justice and the effect of climate change is holistically highlighted in our efforts towards environmental protection. This was established at The Women, Earth and Equity (WEE) Climate Workshop organized by TechHer and The Young Feminist Solidarity & Climate Project. The 2-Days workshop which held in Port Harcourt, examined the role of patriarchy in deepening the effects of climate change on women and children. The workshop explored the concept of climate justice through the lens of eco feminism, with four different approaches from four seasoned facilitators. Delivering a presentation on Power, Gender and the Environment, Obianuju Iloanya examined the interlocking system of domination which has prevailed through patriarchy, capitalism and neocolonialism as a major contributor to environmental degradation. Ken Henshaw who spoke on Shaping Policy and Purpose: A feminist guide to climate advo...