Allow Us to Re-Introduce Ourselves

Shades of Us Storytelling Initiative for African People (‘Shades of Us’) is a non-profit organization using storytelling to address the socio-economic issues affecting Africa, Africans and people of African descent. This is with a view to facilitating open and honest conversations that lead to introspection, analysis and perspective change towards the greater goal of a redefined continent and people.

Volunteer Roles at Shades of Us

Photo by Jep Gambardella

On May 13, 2022, we got our certificate of incorporation as a non-profit organization from the Nigerian Corporate Affairs Commission. Since then, we have been looking to expand our operations and impact lives across Africa and with people of African descent. As a direct result, we are hiring volunteers to help us chart the course of our organization's direction and growth. 

An Ode to Nigeria (For Country, For You and For Me)

Photo by Tope A. Asokere from Pexels

By Ojonugwa Yahaya.

 

When you continually tell even the most beautiful creature... hmm, maybe even more beautiful than Agbani Darego 🤔... that she is ugly, in no time she may start believing it and even start looking ugly... that is how dynamic nature and human psychology work.

Functional Illiteracy in Nigeria

Photo by RF._.studio from Pexels

by Vanessa Oyiwodu Audu

illiteracy

/ɪˈlɪt(ə)rəsi/

noun

1. the inability to read or write.

2. lack of knowledge in a particular subject; ignorance.

Women's Rights in Conferring Citizenship

Photo by Dayvison de Oliveira Silva from Pexels

by Emono Bwacha

A citizen of a country is basically someone who has legal ties to that country. One of the most common definitions of citizenship is that it is “the sum total of rights and duties ensuing for a given person by reason of his legal affiliation to a certain State”^[1] The concept of citizenship legally ties an individual to a particular region or country. As a direct result, the individual has obligations to said region or country and in return, the region or country grants the individual rights to enjoy as a citizen.

Happening in September: The 2021 Abuja Literary and Arts Festival

We. Are. Excited. About. #ALitFest21!

Partnering for the Health and Wellbeing Young People

Practical session during the 'Data Made Simple' Training-of-Trainers Capacity Building Session for SWAG Initiative

One of the global goals that Shades of Us has adopted is Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals. 

Patching Things Up

Fixing Potholes.
Credit: City of Ekurhuleni

When I moved to my current neighborhood, one of the things that convinced me to take the house was the road. Oh! The road was bad, but I saw that the potholes were being filled up with sand, so I assumed the roads would be repaired in time.

I should never have assumed that.

The Stress of Being A 'Tomboy'

Photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels

I woke up, went to my wardrobe, opened it, and stared at my clothes, wondering what to wear for the day. I have dresses on the right side, shirts in the middle, and sweaters on the left. I looked at the dresses, most of which I had not worn since I bought them, and said yet again, ‘maybe some time in the future’. Then I went through my shirts, and as I touched each one, I knew just what trousers would go with them and what shoes would be perfect for each look. 

Boundaries

Photo by Alex Green from Pexels

I have been thinking about boundaries a lot.

The Agony of Water Scarcity

Photo by Tucker Tangeman on Unsplash

THROUGH THE EYES OF OJONUGWA YAHAYA

INTRODUCTION

Located in an atmosphere of serenity and decorated with the rich savannah vegetation, the communal life and practice of trade by barter is still held with great prestige in the community of Ojokpachi-Odo. 

The First Time

Photo by Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition on Unsplash

‘Remember the family from which you are from and be careful with the things you do.’

Ripple Effects of Poverty: Hunger

A young boy leaning on a corrugated Zinc fence.
Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

Every time I think of poverty in many African communities, I can’t help but mull over how this poverty is experienced on various levels. Thankfully, there is a term that effectively explains this: multidimensional poverty. 

Open Defecation: A Known Enemy Affecting the Everyday Nigerian

Old woman showing her makeshift toilet.
Credit: UN News

By Ojonugwa Yahaya from HipCity Innovation Centre

Among human communities, there are some behaviours which have negative impact the people and endangers the health of the entire population. Most times, the people ignore the consequences because they believe it is an age-old practice and their forebears were not affected by it, or because of a fear of change. Also, when these people weigh their options and feel the cost of behavioural change outweighs their usual behaviour, they are usually unwilling to change. 

Join Us to Commemorate International Day of the Girl

Shades of Us is supporting Girls Virtual Summit 2020, an event hosted by SWAG Initiative to commemorate International Day of the Girl. Here is what you need to know about the event. 

Demographic Dividends Through Communication

Ramatu Ada Ochekliye presented this paper at the 7th Nigerian Annual Population Lecture Series that happened in Abuja in 2019. The theme of the series was ‘Nigeria’s Population Issues: Harnessing 21st Century Innovations to Achieve Demographic Dividends’.

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Bad Roads and Poverty: A CASE OF LELEYI GWARI COMMUNITY IN ABUJA

Cars struggling on a bad road.
Image Credit: Guardian Nigeria Newspaper

By Ojonugwa Yahaya from HipCity Innovation Centre

In every given geographical area occupied by a population of people, either large or small, the first thing that indicates the presence of said people is an access road. Road is very important to human development, and their importance cannot be overemphasized.

Addressing Workplace Harassment

Photo by August de Richelieu from Pexels

For some reason, the thought of a former colleague came to mind. And it was followed by such immense disgust that I had to take long, deep breaths to calm myself.

When No One Is Looking

Photo by Gantas Vaičiulėnas from Pexels

As long as I can remember, I have always cared about the issues that affect Africa, Africans, and people of African descent, with special focus on how these issues affect women and children. Even as a child in primary school, I can remember expressing anger at people who treated women and children poorly and standing up for the girls in my class. It would not be far-fetched to assume I was born this way, having what can be described as a gnawing need to lend my voice to women's and children’s issues.

The God Complex of the Old

Photo by Muhammadtaha Ibrahim Ma'aji from Pexels

In many African countries, young people are raised to have respect for their elders. However, the kind of respect that is expected borders on complete deference, creating a situation where, by default, older people are almost always assumed to be right on all issues, while younger people are expected to acquiesce to their views, choices, and decisions in favor of the more ‘mature’ ones of the old.

Bleeding Trees

Photo by Craig Adderley from Pexels

There is this lane that leads to my office in Abuja. It is serene, with a canopy of trees from the sidewalks and road divider joining together to cover the road. It is beautiful, but beyond that, it gives me so much pleasure – and dare I say, calmness – whenever I pass the road. To see those trees shading the streets and pavements, and knowing they provide succor to people, animals, birds, and other living organisms, just fills my lungs with goodness…or just clean oxygen.

Nehemiah's Wall

Photo by Olia Nayda on Unsplash

For some reason, Nehemiah’s Wall – a biblical story where the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes embarked on the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls – has been hovering in the recesses of my mind. The story may not readily come to mind, so for those who do not read the Bible, it would be great to read the book of Nehemiah.  

Wife-to-be Auditions

It is 2020, and many families across Africa are still auditioning women for the 'opportunity' to become a slave wife in their family.

 

What does this mean?

A Rookie's Mistake

From the moment I finished my film directing course at the Royal Arts Academy in Lagos, Nigeria, I have been introducing myself as a filmmaker…along with the other titles I like to describe myself as. Yet, four years since I earned that certificate, I do not have any film — short or feature — to my name.

Flip The Switch

Image Credit: Men's Health

Edikan felt Ama turn in her sleep as she gained consciousness. He had listened to her troubled sleep – marked by her slight snoring – for the past hour, even though his back remained turned to her. Their fight last night had been the worst in the six months they had been dating. And for the first time since he moved into her apartment, they had slept on opposite ends of the bed.