ELVIRA’S PEN

Today we look at the Itsekiri people of Southern Nigeria. The  Itsekiri   is an  ethnic group   that mainly inhabit the south- western  part of the Niger Delta  area in  Edo  and  Delta  states.  They mainly live around Warri South, Warri North, and Warri South-West ,  speaking a Yoruboid language  that blends elements of Yoruba, Igala, and   some borrowed cultural practice from the Edo people of Benin , a reflection of their richly mixed heritage. The Itsekiri story begins before 1480 , when   Olu Ginuwa , a prince from Benin, left the royal palace after a dispute and sailed down to found the Kingdom of Warri . There, he united various riverine communities under one crown, setting up the capital at Ode-Itsekiri . From then on, the Itsekiri were ruled by the Olu (King )  and a council of chiefs known as Ojoyes , forming a graceful blend of monarchy and nobility. The Itsekiri’s are generally flamboyant when i...

Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) has called out on g overnments for overlooking simple, effective tools to curb methane emissions from waste, analysis of the latest round of national climate plans (NDCs) shows. In a statement released by the group, GAIA examined 14 NDCs submitted to the UN climate body from countries chosen for their ambition and strong potential to curb emissions with zero waste strategies. All had signed up to the   Global Methane Pledge  and the   Declaration on Reducing Methane from Organic Waste . While there were some good elements in four of the plans, ten were weak or harmful. No country fully captured the potential emissions savings and social benefits of an effective zero waste strategy. Key findings: Brazil showed significant progress from its previous NDC, with solid policy framing and concrete measures to manage organic waste. Bangladesh, Chile, Colombia and Nigeria placed increased emphasis on a just transition, including ...

VACANCY - Field Officer An Agric company, Yenjay Consulting Limited is looking to train and employ field officers to conduct corporate collection. Job Location: Port Harcourt, Rivers State  Experience: Training will be provided Essential Job Functions - Build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with cooperative members in the community. - Collect daily contributions from assigned cooperative members accurately and transparently. - Conduct field-level onboarding of new contributors, including proper KYC (Know Your Customer) verification. - Ensure timely submission of daily remittances to the Supervisor or designated officer. - Prepare and submit daily reports on contributions, collections, and field activities. - ⁠Promptly escalate any discrepancies, challenges, or risks to the Supervisor. - ⁠Support the implementation of cooperative initiatives at the grassroots level, including savings mobilization and loan administration. - ⁠Uphold ethical practices and transparency ...

NOBODY TO BLAME - Elvira Jordan Good Morning Beloved 😊 In our journey through life, we have all gone through difficult situations, and as the typical human mind works, while reflecting on the situation, we look for the causes of it, who to blame, what to blame and where to transfer our aggression. It is often a common feeling, and blaming our problems on someone or something will most times make us feel better about ourselves and about our situation, but doesn’t guarantee that the negative circle will end or lessons will be learnt.  I have seen friendships end, relationships broken, good contacts savored because someone had to take the fall or be blamed for something. There is even a pattern on social media, especially on X; whatever blame we cannot direct at someone or something, we can always blame it on Desmond Elliot. 😂 (Just for fun.) The blame game makes people feel better about what has happened to them or what they are going through. Some people who are in the early stage...

Today, we explore the vibrant world of the  Igbo people , one of Africa’s largest ethnic groups. Their roots lie in present-day  Abia ,  Anambra ,  Ebonyi , Enugu, and Imo States , with communities also found across the  Niger Delta   and   Cross River areas. The   Igbo language , a branch of the  Niger-Congo family , binds them together through a rich cultural heritage. After Nigeria’s independence in 1960, ethnic tensions led to the secession attempt that birthed  Biafra  (1967–1970). Though the war ended decades ago, groups like  Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra   and   IPOB  still advocate for Igbo self-determination. Traditional  Igbo architecture  features steep, thatched roofs made from palm fronds or grass—simple yet elegant designs crafted from locally sourced materials. Music and dance are at the heart of Igbo life. The people skillfully use instruments like the...