Superstar Bob Marley Today, May 11, 2010, is exactly 29 years since the great musician Robert Nester Marley, popularly known as Bob, passed away. The man is regarded as one of the greatest musical legends of our time. But who is this little man whose music created a big impact on the music scene internationally? Bob Marley was born on February 6, 1945, in the parish of St Ann's in Nine Miles, Jamaica, to a British Marine officer, Norval Sinclair Marley, and a native Jamaican called Cedella Booker. Like most of the Jamaican great musicians, Bob Marley entered music while very young, coming out with his first song "Judge Not" at the age of 16. The song didn't do well. He continued pursuing his musical career. In 1965, he formed "The Wailers" with Bunny Livingston (Bunny Wailer) and Peter McIntosh (Peter Tosh) and released "Catch A Fire," an album that propelled him to international stardom. After a short period, "The Wailers" split and Peter, Bunny, and Bob went on separate ways. Surprisingly, all three became successful in music. However, Bob Marley's passion for music could be seen in the albums he released. "Rastaman Vibration, Natty Dread Kaya Confrontation Survival Uprising In 1977, while playing football with his friends, Bob injured his toe. He was diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a type of deadly cancer, and amputation was recommended. But on his Rastafarian religious beliefs, Bob didn't agree to that. The Cancer started taking its toll on him, and the result was disastrous. Bob died at the age of 36 on May 11, 1981. By then, he and The Wailers had changed the reggae world. "Lyrically, he was an expert, and spiritually you should have seen him in concert," Said Macka B, in his song called Bob. A song he played as a tribute to Bob Marley. His passion for music could be felt in his performance as he rocks the stage and the audience to the best of his soul. His philosophy was well expressed in his songs. Many believe that Bob Marley was a prophet who came to the world unnoticed until he passed away. Bob Marley is not only good at playing revolutionary songs but also loves songs. His numerous love songs influenced his life. Bob had an affair with more than one woman. Today, all his children are following their father's steps. All successful professional musicians. 29 years after he departed from the musical planet, Bob Marley is more famous than ever. He sold over 300 million albums. Bob Marley still casts a spell with his music globally. Everyone knows about Bob Marley. Almost three decades after his death, his music is still relevant to millions of people across the world. Celebrations and activities are held each year globally on May 11, as a tribute to Bob. Truly, the work and achievements of Bob Marley in the field of music will be in history forever. I leave you with this part of the lyrics taken from his "Redemption Song." "Emancipate yourself from mental slavery None but ourselves can free our minds Have no fear for atomic energy, 'cause none of them can stop the time
How long shall they kill our prophets? While we sat aside and looked Some say it's just a part of it; we have to fulfill the book. Won't you help to sing these songs of freedom? Is all that ever have, redemption song, songs of freedom"
Goodluck Jonathan: With Nigeria under his administration, he has bitten more than he can chew The present state of Nigeria, a country once richer than many European countries, shows how corruption could affect a country and ruin it without any immediate remedy. In the seventies and late eighties in Nigeria, even though it is an African country, due to its flourishing economy, its local currency, the Naira, has value more than even the Dollar and other foreign currencies. Corruption, tribalism, nepotism, and lack of good governance have made a country once worth living to be a nightmare for its ordinary citizens. Each day, hundreds of people are trying to leave the poverty-stricken country overseas. Most of them, without proper documentation to facilitate the visa application, end up buying fake documents such as certificates of professional jobs, birth, and fake bank attests to the British Embassy. The embassy is overwhelmed by the number of fake documents it receives each day. After the death of the long-ailing Yar'Adua, the president, Goodluck Jonathan, the vice president, was peacefully sworn in on Thursday, 4th May 2010, as president of Nigeria. But the country is set to hold presidential elections next year, and it remains unclear who the top candidates will be. In recent times, political instability, religious violence, and militant attacks on energy pipelines have significantly affected the country. The oil-rich Nigeria's economy isn't getting better but worse each day. Now that Jonathan is in power, the question is, "Does he have a magic wand to save the crippled economy of Nigeria?" And again, who will be named the vice-president to Jonathan? At his swearing-in, Jonathan said that he would work to ensure next year's polls were credible. "Our total commitment to good governance, electoral reform, and the fight against corruption would be pursued with greater vigor," Said Mr. Jonathan, according to Reuters. But Nigerians are tired of hearing this whenever a new president is sworn in, for corruption is an incurable disease not only in Nigeria but entire Africa. After independence, many countries in Africa seemed they can't manage state affairs without corruption. What is the significance of independence when most African countries were better off under the colonial government? Africa has so many questions to answer. It's our duty to restore our country's dignity. Enough is enough; corruption must be kicked out of African politics.
A Muslim woman in a full-face veil: Where is her comfort? Belgium would soon be the first country in Western Europe to ban the full-face covering veils by Muslim women. The action explains this as not a discrimination against religion or Muslim women, but for better integration and communication. "We have to know the people we communicate with," they said. As a matter of fact, the misinterpretation of the Koran has imprisoned many Muslim women who find it extremely difficult to get out of their predicament. Thousands of women do not wear the face veil at all, and they could explain the reason why it's not necessary, while others who wear it would also explain its significance. In this case, there are divisions already within the Muslim women's community over face covering. Every country has its own law. People have to respect and obey the law. The old saying still exists, "If you go to Rome, you do what the Romans do." I am imagining in this modern world, traveling to any Arab country with the intention of building a church. I don't think that permission would ever be granted to me. The reason is simple and logical. I will be told this is an Arab country, and we don't permit that. Yet in every part of Europe where there is a large concentration of Muslims, permission has been given to them to build Mosques. This is because Europe respects religion. Why then are they accusing Belgium of discriminating against women if they want people who want to live in their country to follow and observe their law? In the Arabic world, there is a dance called "Belly dancing". It is a Western-coined name for a traditional Middle-Eastern dance. Belle dancing takes different forms depending on the country. The most featured part of the dancing is constantly moving with the hips. Muslim women perform this dance in restaurants and cabarets, with "naked or nude belly" watched by admirers with applause. My question is, if Muslim women can expose their belly nakedly to be watched by hundreds of people at the restaurant and festivals, why is it difficult for them to unveil in public? I leave this question for them to answer. To make it clear, I am not encouraging the Belgian government to ban the wearing of a full-face veil. This article is based on my opinion; the fact is that Belgium is their country, and we have to obey and respect their laws. If we travel to any Arab country, we have to obey and respect their laws as well. Recently, someone was arrested in an Arab country for kissing his girlfriend in public. I have never heard of such a thing before, yet that is prohibited in that country. We also need to respect and obey the law of the Europeans.
