Wednesday, August 31, 2011
pristine thrills: WHEN LOOKS DECEIVE
pristine thrills: WHEN LOOKS DECEIVE: This is a true life story am sharing. While it hasn't made me paranoid, I bet you am a bit more careful with strangers! Its part of my exper...
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
WHEN LOOKS DECEIVE
This is a true life story am sharing. While it hasn't made me paranoid, I bet you am a bit more careful with strangers! Its part of my experiences in my nation's capital Abuja.
The day was Friday, 21st January 2011. I had just finished signing my logbook at ITF and decided to see my elder brother at Kuje, since I would be leaving for school next week. From ITF, I boarded a taxi to Wuse where I hoped to get another vehicle to Kuje. Since I hadn't been to Kuje from that part of Abuja, I needed direction and so I opted to ask around. The very first person I asked, a well dressed young man probably in his early thirties posited that it was impossible to get a vehicle from |Wuse to Kuje by that time of the day. Surprised, I glanced at my D&G designer wristwatch and the time was 3.27 pm.
So what alternative do I have, I asked
Your only option is to board a bus to Gwagwalada and disembark at Kuje junction. At the junction, you'd get a cab into Kuje.On the other hand, if you are not so much in a hurry, you could wait and follow me and I'll give you a ride in my oga's car. I thought over his proposal very carefully, accessing him as fast as possible. From every indication, I had nothing to lose from His offer. I'd save some cash as well save myself a lot of stress. Besides, he looked descent and responsible, especially with the christian literature He held very sanctimoniously.
How long do I have to wait, I asked
Not too long, He replied. The only time we would spend would involve our boarding a bus to Airport junction where I will pick the vehicle and my oga.
I'll hop along for the ride, I said
So where are you headed in Kuje, he asked
Along Hospital road, I answered
Wow Wow Wow! What a coincidence, thats exactly where my oga lives, he exclaimed
Hospital Road, I answered
Wow Wow Wow! What a coincidence, he exclaimed, my oga lives exactly on that street
Well well, I thought. That simplifies everything for me. I don't have to start searching for the house.
The day was Friday, 21st January 2011. I had just finished signing my logbook at ITF and decided to see my elder brother at Kuje, since I would be leaving for school next week. From ITF, I boarded a taxi to Wuse where I hoped to get another vehicle to Kuje. Since I hadn't been to Kuje from that part of Abuja, I needed direction and so I opted to ask around. The very first person I asked, a well dressed young man probably in his early thirties posited that it was impossible to get a vehicle from |Wuse to Kuje by that time of the day. Surprised, I glanced at my D&G designer wristwatch and the time was 3.27 pm.
So what alternative do I have, I asked
Your only option is to board a bus to Gwagwalada and disembark at Kuje junction. At the junction, you'd get a cab into Kuje.On the other hand, if you are not so much in a hurry, you could wait and follow me and I'll give you a ride in my oga's car. I thought over his proposal very carefully, accessing him as fast as possible. From every indication, I had nothing to lose from His offer. I'd save some cash as well save myself a lot of stress. Besides, he looked descent and responsible, especially with the christian literature He held very sanctimoniously.
How long do I have to wait, I asked
Not too long, He replied. The only time we would spend would involve our boarding a bus to Airport junction where I will pick the vehicle and my oga.
I'll hop along for the ride, I said
So where are you headed in Kuje, he asked
Along Hospital road, I answered
Wow Wow Wow! What a coincidence, thats exactly where my oga lives, he exclaimed
Hospital Road, I answered
Wow Wow Wow! What a coincidence, he exclaimed, my oga lives exactly on that street
Well well, I thought. That simplifies everything for me. I don't have to start searching for the house.
Well,we boarded a bus going to Airport junction.He claimed he had no loose cash around,so I had to pay our fare.All the while,it never occurred to me that there could be anything sinister about him,not with the Christian Literature he carried like a plaque.But I was wrong.When the bus got to Sudan street,I put on tracking feature of my Nokia C-2 mobile,from lack of nothing more worthwhile to do.
At Airport junction,He pointed to one side of the road as our destination.
We would follow a shortcut to the house,he said.
No problem,I replied
So,where do you work?
Oh,am a student on IT, I replied a bit apprehensively as I glanced at the shanty looking places we were passing on our way to our rendezvous.Little houses made of tarpaulin and wood scattered among very environmentally unfriendly surroundings.
Thats good, He said. I graduated from school three years ago too,am a driver cos I haven't found any alternative for now.
Really,I asked,doubt now beginning to have doubts within me.His English was so horrible for a graduate.
From which University and what discipline did you graduate from,I queried.
I studied Economics in UNN, was his reply.
Now seriously suspicious, I quickly hid my logbook so He wouldn't realize I was from UNN and bring in Plan B,to deal with me.
Pardon my curiosity,I continued,when did you graduate?
Three years ago,he answered matter of factly.
Do you know Agwu Chukwuma, I asked, mentioning the name of a prominent student in that set.
I've heard about him sometimes, he replied.
That settled it,this guy was scam and I had better find a way to outsmart Him,without arousing his suspicion.
All along,I hand started noticing some uncanny movements,movements that reminded me of 24th November 2006.How could I forget,it was still fresh in my memory.It was at Mount Close, Mount bus stop,along Agbani road, Enugu,when I was beating black and blue and robbed by a 'good Samaritan' and his boys,during my freshman years in UNN.Well,that would be a discourse for another day.
Why don't you come inside,the sun is so hot,the guy said.
Ha ha ha!I Laughed in my mind,so that it would be easy for you guys to implement your plans.
Oh don't worry,I replied,am used to the sun,after all,I did my IT in a quarry company.
My brain was at work all these while and suddenly,a plan formed in my head.
We passed a small market on our way here right,I asked?
Yes,He replied.
Ok, I think I'd just run down there and get a few things, I said.
No problem,he retorted.
Phew! The first part went well, I thought. Now what next, I pondered as I walked,aware that a pair of eyes were watching me very closely, considering every step I made.
As I got to that mammy market, I bought some things, things I didn't even need! I was careful to buy at shops that were in his view, initially. I wouldn't want to alarm him or get him suspicious, that the bird he sprang a trap for, was about to fly. Next, I moved as if I wanted to buy something else at another location, where He couldn't see me. I just prayed silently that I didn't have watchers already. Once, out of his view, I made a beeline for the road through the bush path through which we came in. As I hit the road, I didn't even know where I was. Twas then I brought out my phone and to my delight, I discovered that I had set the tracking feature on my Nokia 2710 c-2 navigation phone. So all the roots we took including my current position was indicated. I eventually, found my way out and got to Kuje with the aid of my phone. Talk about all that glitters not being gold!
The Solar Alternative
The design for a solar cell array in space features many inflatable, Fresnel reflectors which focus the Sun's light on small arrays of high efficiency cells.
The international space station is also another good example of solar cells being used in space. When it is finished, the station will have the most powerful solar array in space. Four sets of gold coloured wings (each one being 72 metres long and larger than the space station itself) will contain 250,000 solar cells and the whole array will be able to power a small neighbourhood. Some of the energy will be used immediately, such as in life support machines while some will be stored in bateries for when the station is not in use.
Solar cells are also being used to power the rovers which will be examining the surface of Mars in early 2004
Solar powered vehicles
Solar powered cars are cars which are powered by an array of photovoltaic cells. The electricity created by the solar cells either directly powers the vehicle through a motor, or goes into a storage battery. Even if a vehicle is completely covered in solar cells, it will only receive a smaller amount of solar energy and will be able to convert only a small amount of that to useful energy. Because of this, most solar powered vehicles are only used in research, educational tools or to compete in the various races for solar powered vehicles.
The first solar powered car was built be Ed Passerini in 1977. Many large motor manufacturers have also put some serious research into solar cars. General Motors, for example, spent $8 million developing the "Sunracer" . This car has a 90 square foot solar array incorporated into it's teardrop shaped body. Despite being 6m long, the total weight of the car is only 177kg due to light weight composites used in it's manufacture.
Many races for solar powered vehicles occur throughout the year and serve to develop new technologies and show the public the idea of solar power as a viable power source. One of the first and most famous races is the World Solar Challenge; a 1872 mile race held in Australia. In 1996 Honda won with an average speed of 55.77mph. However, these kinds of average speeds can only be obtained with good weather conditions and huge investment in the vehicle. Production solar vehicles are still in their infancy and lots more research and development needs to be done before they can get close to the production line.
Written by Nwachinemere Emeka
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
+2347035091865/+2348137814436
Ccv2u@yahoo.com/flex20live@gmail.com
Shocking!
Her question hit me with full force, like a 20-ton weight projected with an extremely high velocity. I stared at her with bulging eyes that bystanders began to think my eyeballs would fall off. I opened my mouth wide that, for some moment, my little cousin thought he was looking into a grand canyon about to swallow him.
Just a look at me and the poor thing took off as though he was being pursued by a cannibalistic lunatic. He would say later that my jaws literally dropped to the floor, though I am yet to ascertain the veracity of that statement.
I thought I was prepared for any question and here I was, a colossal disgrace to mankind.
I cracked my brain to find a suitable answer but it might have as well been made of lead because I wasn’t able to scratch it not to talk of cracking it open.
With my mouth agape, flying insects had the right-of-way, freely entering and leaving without obstruction. I can almost swear that bees built an edifice almost as magnificent as the Taj Mahal during that time.
Had all my days and weeks of practice been in vain, my rehearsals before the mirror, my tutorials on confidence, my sleepless nights and gameless, facebook-less days been nothing but water poured into a drain?
The mouth remained open with saliva running down from it that I guess she must have thought she was looking at the Victoria Falls. Of course, now I think she should have paid me for bringing such a breathtaking work of nature (The Victoria Falls) to her very abode but then, my mind was simply at a stand still.
How are the mighty fallen! The once bold guy who could approach anybody, answer any question or bluff off any question he doesn’t know the answer to was reduced to this pitiful display of imbecility. The stately prince diminished to a state worse than that of a wino. It may make good humour now but at the time it was anything but laughable.
It was only a matter of moments before the lady dropped to the floor – as in fainted. I guess she too was not prepared for the effects of her question. Bystanders rushed to the scene and tried reviving her, all the while paying absolutely no attention to me. I could faintly hear them arguing which would be better: to make her sit or leave her lying.
I remained at the spot like an unwavering iroko for what I thought was a century. As I stood, I felt, rather than heard, a multitudinous army approaching from behind but even then, I could not move. The army approached, loudly chanting a battle cry I could hardly make out.
They descended on me and then it occurred to me the army was my family members, the battle cry was my name with intermittent shouts of “Jesus”. My cousin had run home and notified them that I had been bewitched by a huge spell.
I came out of my state of hypnosis and all I could think of was “My reputation is ruined. Somebody get me out of here”. Tears filled my eyes but I managed to keep my self control. At this point I was ushered home by family like a delicate consignment of extremely expensive and valuable breakables.
AND SHE HAD ONLY ASKED ME MY NAME.
Just a look at me and the poor thing took off as though he was being pursued by a cannibalistic lunatic. He would say later that my jaws literally dropped to the floor, though I am yet to ascertain the veracity of that statement.
I was transfixed to a point, unable to move, unable to speak, but this was just the beginning.
I thought I was prepared for any question and here I was, a colossal disgrace to mankind.
I cracked my brain to find a suitable answer but it might have as well been made of lead because I wasn’t able to scratch it not to talk of cracking it open.
With my mouth agape, flying insects had the right-of-way, freely entering and leaving without obstruction. I can almost swear that bees built an edifice almost as magnificent as the Taj Mahal during that time.
Had all my days and weeks of practice been in vain, my rehearsals before the mirror, my tutorials on confidence, my sleepless nights and gameless, facebook-less days been nothing but water poured into a drain?
The mouth remained open with saliva running down from it that I guess she must have thought she was looking at the Victoria Falls. Of course, now I think she should have paid me for bringing such a breathtaking work of nature (The Victoria Falls) to her very abode but then, my mind was simply at a stand still.
How are the mighty fallen! The once bold guy who could approach anybody, answer any question or bluff off any question he doesn’t know the answer to was reduced to this pitiful display of imbecility. The stately prince diminished to a state worse than that of a wino. It may make good humour now but at the time it was anything but laughable.
It was only a matter of moments before the lady dropped to the floor – as in fainted. I guess she too was not prepared for the effects of her question. Bystanders rushed to the scene and tried reviving her, all the while paying absolutely no attention to me. I could faintly hear them arguing which would be better: to make her sit or leave her lying.
I remained at the spot like an unwavering iroko for what I thought was a century. As I stood, I felt, rather than heard, a multitudinous army approaching from behind but even then, I could not move. The army approached, loudly chanting a battle cry I could hardly make out.
They descended on me and then it occurred to me the army was my family members, the battle cry was my name with intermittent shouts of “Jesus”. My cousin had run home and notified them that I had been bewitched by a huge spell.
I came out of my state of hypnosis and all I could think of was “My reputation is ruined. Somebody get me out of here”. Tears filled my eyes but I managed to keep my self control. At this point I was ushered home by family like a delicate consignment of extremely expensive and valuable breakables.
AND SHE HAD ONLY ASKED ME MY NAME.
The 21st Century Students
Education in its broadest sense is any act or experience that has a formative effect on the mind, character, or physical ability of an individual. It is the process by which society deliberately transmits its accumulated knowledge, skills, and values from one generation to another. The generation on the receiving end is called “student”. According to Martin Luther King Jnr., “education has two fold purposes; utility and culture”.
In time past, society had responded to its various needs by adopting several paradigms of education as was suited to solving their particular needs. As epochs unfolded, so did man redefine the core objectives of what to pass on to its students. First, there was education for economic prosperity. Then with the discovery of the beauty of democracy by the Greeks, education was modified to be a means by which it could be secured by sustaining shared values such as justice, equality, and freedom.
It has been a long march for humanity and finally, we are in the 21st century, with its own set of challenges and peculiarities. The millennium was ushered in by a dramatic technological revolution. We now live in an increasingly diverse, globalized, and complex media saturated society. This has made students global citizens and digital learners with unprecedented exposure to knowledge. This means that for the students to be efficient, they have to be media literate, hence new curricula has to be designed.
In the children’s story, “Alice in wonderland”, Alice reacts to everything with “it’s impossible!”. Many educators and policy makers respond just like her when challenged to adopt a new paradigm of education that is suited to the 21st century; and there is no better time to reinvent schools for the 21st century than now. But for such schools to ever see the light of the day, then cognizance must be taken of “21st century skills”. Such skills include; critical thinking and problem solving, agility and adaptability, effective oral and written communication, and ability to access and analyze information. This is because students must be thoroughly equipped if they would be able to address a rapidly changing world filled with both new problems and possibilities.
The 21st century students should be research driven, not textbook driven; and focus on what they can do, not memorize discrete facts. This will be feasible only when a project based curricula is designed for students. As all manner of thought patterns and teaching pervade our society, students must be able to seek and apply truth for themselves, for it is the mark of an educated mind to entertain a thought without accepting it.
The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty and we must rise with the occasion.
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