Ebuka Okonkwo: A ruptured dream
I was envious of the fact that he felt smaller around her. He was physically taller and bigger than both of us…
Debby Jones: The Person I go love be
BlankPaperz Short Piece Contest longlist ‘Na money be fine bobo’, a popular saying that got me into this mess. Now, this fine bobo don get moni e no con dey funny. You know while growing up, everyone had a profession they admired and seemingly pursued, even though it might have changed at one point or another whether willfully or painfully, somehow it changed. But I was part of the ‘unfortunate’ dullards with no ambition. While our mates were singing ”standard livingstandard living…” We made a mockery of them and called them ‘sandal Jelili’ (Jelili’s sandals) which makes no sense right? But, now I know the difference. The strive of being a ‘fine bobo’, the struggle for cash, the battle of fitting into a social space I didn’t keep has stolen my prized possessions; Purpose which I never pursued, the love of a mother who struggled to give me the education…
You and I: We’re the solution
In 2018, we identified over 500 poor and unemployed women who were willing to learn a skill and it became necessary to proffer a solution to the unemployment and poverty faced by women in Ondo state.
Echoes of Their Voices – The Rebirth of Liah
She had gone to find out the reason for the heavy, husky sounds and moans she had heard, but looking through a tiny hole, she got the biggest shock of her life; her aunt’s husband and his own younger sister, right on her aunt’s matrimonial bed! Now, what could Liah do to stop this from becoming her own fate?
Yasmine Ouirhrane’s fight for women & peace
Yasmine tells that, “as the daughter of an Italian mother and a father who immigrated to Italy, I’ve struggled all my life to be integrated and accepted. This award symbolises a milestone and a big step towards the integration of all young European citizens.”
Is she too young to run an empire for women and children in Northern Nigeria? Definitely not Wadi Ben-Hirki
Wadi Ben-Hirki is the brilliant 22 year old founder of WB-H foundation, working in Northern Nigeria. She’s involved in policy influencing / development work. She’s currently a country representative for a Chatham House Project to Connect youths in Africa & Europe on policy issues.
1. Raymond’s Real Life NYSC Experience Would Make You Want to Serve and Get into the NYSC Scheme Immediately! Learn Something from This
Would you rather serve Nigeria or like others say, not waste your time? Raymond‘s mom sent him off for NYSC just like that but was he sure he could survive? You should step into his NYSC journey and learn a thing or two from Raymond
2. Raymond’s Real Life NYSC Experience Would Make You Want to Serve and Get into the NYSC Scheme Immediately! Learn Something from This
Would you rather serve Nigeria or like others say, not waste your time?
Raymond chose to serve Nigeria for one whole year and although everything wasn’t rosy and peachy, he made the best out of his life in Jos and grew new wings to fly through life!
Victoria Ibiwoye expresses gratitude on her role with UNESCO as the Youth Envoy on Education
Victoria Ibiwoye, the founder of One African Child Foundation expresses her gratitude on her role with UNESCO as the Youth Envoy on Education
HAPPINESS IS NOT WHAT I THOUGHT IT TO BE!
For happiness… he wished to be in their shoes. Yes, but who doesn’t like the good taste of honey and as the day passed, his desire to become rich increased. He still died an unhappy man.
10 revealing ways to say no without feeling guilty
It’s so hard to say no to people without feeling bad! But when you have clarity of purpose and know what you want, you become laser focused you can easily say no without feeling guilty.
Award Winning Debater. Outspoken Feminist. Akiddie. And Kachi Nwani.
That struck a chord and redefined everything I wanted to do. So I realized I want to die empty too. I want my legacy to be the people I have impacted in my journey to where I’ll prefer to go.
Mirabelle Morah Represents BlankPaperz in South Africa as Ashoka Africa Youth Champion
Mirabelle Morah, our Editor represents BlankPaperz in South Africa as an Ashoka Africa Youth Champion. During the summit, Mirabelle alongside Catherine Peter, Chairman of One Young World Africa, facilitated a parallel session on the topic, A Future for Youth; asking fellow participants about their opinions on formal education in Africa and how formal education affects youth employability. “A good attitude and a great learning spirit, these two things go beyond formal education and are important skills or values every youth should have,” said Mirabelle. IMPACT! AFRICA is a mobilizing summit organized by the British Council and Ashoka, which aims to accelerate innovative solutions to Africa’s most pressing challenges by inspiring, supporting, and connecting leading social entrepreneurs and key ecosystem players across countries, organizations, and sectors – such as policy, social investment, business, and education. See more images and videos below.