Italian Marble, Anyone?

Too Few Fish or Too Many Fishermen?

West African fishermen can't compete, by Global Post

West African fishermen can’t compete, by Erin Conway-Smith, Global Post

Fishermen in West Africa are suffering from inroads of Chinese and Russian trawlers operating in their waters, depleting the supply of fish, says an article in Global Post. The governments of the affected countries, like Mauritania, are not strong in enforcing the laws against those fishing illegally in their waters.

The local fishermen along the coast of Mauritania and its neighbors are unable to compete. The author says, “conservationists warn that rapacious fishing practices there are threatening fisheries and food supply to a staggering degree. West Africa loses at least $1.3 billion a year from illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, according to a 2014 report from the Africa Progress Panel.”

Bravery in India

A Rapist’s Nightmare, an op-ed by Nicholas Kristof, reveals the power a woman can have. Supported by her family and with help from “a longtime women’s activist,” Bitiya (not her real name) is making a dent in the culture of a village in India where rape was accepted. Her rapists have been arrested.

Even though they offered a large settlement if Bitiya would drop her case, Bitiya has not given up.

“‘I want them in jail,’ Bitiya says. ‘Then everyone watching will know that people can get punished for this.'” I can barely imagine the bravery required for her to oppose powerful men and tradition.

Kristof says that parents’ desire to protect their daughters hinders development, keeping girls out of school and employment. What a waste! May she succeed and may her courage inspire others.

President Buhari

President Buhari

Nigeria’s Superrich

Another NYTimes piece that I just must share is so timely. As soon as I read it yesterday I knew that I will use it in my class at Lifetime Learners, 400 Years of Nigerian History, Slavery to Superrich. Some of the information I need for my final class, about the superrich, is right here in the article! Then one of our Friends of Nigeria members emailed it to all of us so I had a further reminder.

With President Buhari’s crackdown on corruption, including arresting people, those who have bought these goods in the past are afraid to spend their money now.

But will Buhari be successful? “Whether Mr. Buhari can maintain the pressure against graft, much less transform a society where corruption thrives at all levels, is far from clear. Over the years, previous assaults on the problem have fizzled.”

6 bedroom house Abuja

Six bedroom house on the market in Abuja

Pated is the shop where Italian marble has been sold to the elite for decades. “Sadiq Yaqub, Pated’s manager, said business now was the ‘worst it’s ever been’ in the 12 years he has worked at the store,” according to the author of the article, Norimitsu Onishi.

Do I feel sorry for the purveyors of luxury goods in Abuja whose wares are sitting in the shop? No, not really! I hope they finally close their stores and send the Jaguars and Rolls Royces back to England and Europe.

What should they do with the Italian marble? Your suggestions needed!

Fall Events 

Today I drove into New York to check out the site of my Wednesday evening presentation, meet my friend Luvon, and shop for African fabric. The event at 7 pm on Wednesday is at Morningside Retirement and Health Services. Here’s their program calendar. Visitors are welcome at 100 LaSalle.

Next week I have two Greenwich CT events connected to their town read of Americanah. You can check them out on my events page.

Nigeria-Revisited-cover framedMy Book Groups Discuss Nigeria Revisited

I’m in two book groups. Tonight my Mount Holyoke Alumnae group is discussing Nigeria Revisited My Life and Loves Abroad. I’m excited and eager to hear their questions and comments.

In another three weeks my other group, Baker’s Dozen, will discuss my memoir.

Baker's Dozen Annual dinner Aug. 26 2015

Baker’s Dozen Annual dinner Aug. 26 2015

In my original version, I had a page of questions for book clubs. This was inadvertently omitted from the latest version.

Do you think it’s a good thing to have?

Neither of my book groups follows a list of questions. In each, we give our opinions and then go back and forth arguing for our own point of view or getting more insight into another’s position. We rarely all agree on whether we were happy to read the book.

I wonder what they’ll say tonight. And I wonder if I can persuade anyone to write a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads.

I’d love more reviews, and I’m told it helps sales! I’ve become conscious of their importance, and now try to post a review for every book I read. Do you?

 

 

Author: Catherine Onyemelukwe

Author, blogger, speaker. Born in New York, grew up in mid west United States, lived in Nigeria for 24 years, back in U.S. since 1986. Advocate for racial justice.