Month: October 2006

See you at the polls

According to Gomer Jeffers at the DMN, Chris Bell was in Fort Worth a couple days ago for a unique photo opportunity. He was supposed to give a little old lady a ride to the polls.
For some reason, Bell was unable to pick up the woman at her apartment. So instead of giving her a ride, he met her at the polling place for early voting.
“Come on, man. Picking up a voter is a basic principle in any get-out-the vote campaign,” Jeffers said. “Did you at least give her gas money?”
I wonder if they botched photo op changed the woman’s vote.
With less than a week left before the election, who are you voting for?

What would you do?

I know some of you have never been to Nigeria or Africa, some of you have been there multiple times and some of you may even live there now.
But for the sake of conversation, I pose this question to you: With unlimited resources, what would you do to fix the problems in Nigeria and the rest of Africa?
Post your comments below. And no idea is to ridiculous or unworthy. Think outside the box on this one.

China to rebuild Nigerian train system

While we were in Nigeria we came across a lot of abandoned railway. The Nigerians told us that the rails were built during British rule and they had been abandoned in the last 10 years or so. But now, according to the BBC, China will buid a new railway between Lagos and Kano. A second phase will connect Jos to the system.

China to build Nigerian railway
Nigeria’s railways have fallen into disrepair
China is to build a railway line between Nigeria’s two main commercial cities, Lagos and Kano.
An $8bn contract was signed by the deputy transport minister and the president of the Chinese firm (CCECC).
CCECC President Lin Rongxin said 50,000 Nigerians would work on the 1,315km line which he said was “a design, construct and maintain project”.
Nigeria’s leader said the five-year north-south line was the first phase in a 20-year modernisation programme.
President Olusegun Obasanjo, who watched the signing, said the second phase of the railway project would include a link between the southern oil city of Port Harcourt and the central city of Jos.
The existing railway along these routes has fallen into disrepair and new tracks are to be built under the deal with China.
China recently granted Nigeria a loan of $2.5bn and much of this is expected to be used in the railway project.
Earlier this year Nigeria repaid a multi-billion dollar debt it owed to the Paris Club, becoming the first African nation to settle with its official lenders.
Nigeria is one of the world’s biggest oil exporters, but it is also one of the world’s poorest countries, with the majority of the population living on less than $1 per day.

How to write a press release

This goes to polliticians, churches, organizations or anyone who wants to get publicity for an event, occassion or campaign.
CMS has a quick summary of how to write a press release for you.
As a former newspaper editor and current reporter I can agree with this whole heartidly. I think every church needs to be sending out press releases on their events and there needs to be someone who is knowledable about how to do it.
It’s not brain surgery. Anyone can do it, just follow these simple guidelines:

  • Just the Facts, Ma’am
  • Put the Most Important Information First
  • Use Short Sentences and Paragraphs
  • Always Use Active Voice
  • Avoid Jargon and Cliches
  • Proofread, Proofreed, Proufread
    For a complete description of these steps read the post.