#fire courses in nigeria

[safeguardsfety]

The Economic Impact of HSE Certification on Port Harcourt’s Industries

Port Harcourt, a bustling hub of industry and commerce, has seen significant growth over the past few decades. A key driver behind this growth is the increasing emphasis on Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) certification. As industries in Port Harcourt continue to expand, the economic impact of HSE certification becomes ever more apparent. This article explores how HSE training in Port Harcourt is reshaping the local economy and providing substantial benefits to various sectors.

 Enhancing Industry Standards and Safety

HSE certification is critical in maintaining high safety standards across industries, particularly in high-risk sectors such as oil and gas, construction, and manufacturing. By ensuring that employees are well-versed in safety protocols, companies can significantly reduce the incidence of workplace accidents and injuries. This not only protects workers but also minimizes downtime and associated costs due to accidents.

For instance, the oil and gas industry in Port Harcourt, which is pivotal to Nigeria’s economy, has benefited immensely from HSE certification. Enhanced safety measures lead to fewer operational disruptions and improve overall productivity. As companies implement rigorous HSE standards, they also gain a competitive edge, attracting more business and investment to the region.

 Boosting Employment Opportunities

The demand for HSE-certified professionals has led to the creation of new job opportunities in Port Harcourt. As industries prioritize safety, there is a growing need for qualified HSE trainers, safety officers, and compliance managers. This demand extends to ancillary services such as first aid training in Lagos, which supports HSE initiatives by providing essential skills to handle emergencies effectively.

Moreover, the rise in HSE training in Port Harcourt has spurred the growth of specialized training institutions. These institutions not only provide HSE certification but also offer courses in related fields such as transport and logistics management professional in Nigeria, further broadening the employment landscape.

 Improving Operational Efficiency and Cost Savings

Implementing HSE certification can lead to substantial cost savings for businesses. By reducing workplace accidents, companies save on medical expenses, legal fees, and compensation claims. Additionally, a safe work environment fosters employee morale and productivity, leading to improved operational efficiency.

For example, companies engaged in transport and logistics management professional in Nigeria have reported fewer vehicular accidents and improved supply chain efficiency due to comprehensive HSE training. This not only enhances their bottom line but also contributes to the overall economic stability of the region.

 Attracting Investment and Fostering Growth

HSE certification plays a crucial role in attracting both local and foreign investment. Investors are more likely to commit to regions where industries adhere to stringent safety and environmental standards. This confidence in the safety protocols of Port Harcourt’s industries helps to secure funding and promote industrial expansion.

The positive economic impact extends to other sectors as well. For instance, the demand for first aid training in Lagos is partly driven by the need to support HSE initiatives in Port Harcourt. As businesses invest in comprehensive safety training, they contribute to the development of a skilled workforce, which in turn attracts further investment and fosters regional growth.

 Conclusion

The economic impact of HSE certification on Port Harcourt’s industries is profound and multifaceted. From enhancing safety standards and boosting employment to improving operational efficiency and attracting investment, HSE training in Port Harcourt is a cornerstone of industrial success. As industries continue to prioritize HSE certification, the region can look forward to sustained economic growth and a safer, more productive work environment.

By investing in HSE training, businesses not only safeguard their workforce but also contribute to the broader economic development of Port Harcourt. This commitment to safety and excellence will ensure that the region remains a key player in Nigeria’s industrial landscape for years to come.

#fire courses in nigeria #hse courses in nigeria

[redditreceipts]

you don't have to answer this ask, this is just a shameless drop https://reddit.com/r/transgender/s/4fVGeHiXbu as expected, comments are abhorrent

(part 1, for context)

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is an author born in Nigeria who wrote plenty of widely influential books and articles about her home country, racism and feminism. Here is her Ted Talk on feminism, which has received 8.1 million views. She is also active for the rights of homosexual and bisexual people in Nigeria. So, what are her crimes?

(source)

So then she does an interview with the Guardian, where she is just somewhat baffled by the behaviour of Western feminists. Of course, the person interviewing her does not engage with her arguments, but is just outraged that she dares to make the arguments in the first place. The entire article contains like three of her sentences, and the rest is the author just putting words in her mouth.

Then Pink News makes an article about the article in the Guardian, which is an entire dumpster fire. But the sentence that enraged me the most is this:

"she remains rigid" is the only critique that this entire godforsaken article is able to articulate. Yeah. Of course she remains rigid. Because she had not had any reason to change her mind. Accusing a woman not of making a false argument, but just of being "rigid" in their beliefs (when these beliefs have not been refuted) is the absolute worst. Adichie comes from a country where 43 percent of girls are married before the age of 18. Do these people really think that Adichie stop arguing for her opinions because some western liberals tell her to?

I really think that this entire "controversy" is so exemplary for how white western feminists entirely miss the mark when interacting with feminists from other parts of the world. When I tried to explain the transgender debate to my friends who are still living in Latin America, they refused to believe that it actually was a thing because it was so absurd. What we call "radical feminism" in the west is just called "feminism" in other regions of the globe. (also, note that the woman who wrote the article for the Guardian as well as the woman who wrote the article for Pink News are both white lmao)

Here's part two where we're gonna look at the comments these brilliant redditors made in the r/transgender subreddit.

#radical feminism #radblr #radical feminists please touch #radical feminists do interact #gender critical #feminism #transfemme #racism #liberal racism #chimamanda ngozi adichie #jk rowling #jkr #gender critical feminism #intersectional gender critical feminism

[historia-vitae-magistras]

@cafeleningrad tagged me to name 23 books I read in 2023 and my only coping mechanisms are sex and research so whoooooo I've got all 23 and they were hard to pick.

Vinland Saga by Makoto Yukimura.

The Polar Bear Expedition: The Heroes of America's Forgotten Invasion of Russia, 1918-1919 by James Carl Nelson

The Sum of Us by Heather McGee

Dark Archives: A Librarian's Investigation Into the Science and History of Books Bound in Human Skin by Megan Rosenbloom

Intimate Matters: A History of Sexuality in America by John D'Emilio and ‎Estelle B. Freedman

The Anglo-Saxons: A History of the Beginnings of England: 400 – 1066 by Marc Morris

Sex, Soldiers and the South Pacific, 1939-45: Queer Identities in Australia in the Second World War by Yorick Smaal

Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention—and How to Think Deeply Again by Johann Hari

A History of New Zealand in 100 Objects by Jock Phillips

Dispossessed Lives: Enslaved Women, Violence, and the Archive by Marisa J. Fuentes.

Children of Ash and Elm: A History of the Vikings by Neil Price

Cafe Neandertal: Excavating Our Past in One of Europe's Most Ancient Places by Beebe Bahrami

Albion's Seed: Four British Folkways in America by David Hackett Fischer

1945: The Year That Made Modern Canada by Ken Cuthbertson

The Library: A Fragile History by Andrew Pettegree & Arthur der Weduwen

The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company by William Dalrymple.

A History of Nigeria by Toyin Falola

Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of World War II by John W. Dower

Fire and Blood: A History of Mexico by TR Fehrenbach.

A History of New Zealand Women by Barbara Brookes.

A History of Disability By Henri-Jacques Stiker

Mosquito Soldiers: Malaria, Yellow Fever, and the Course of the American Civil War by Andrew Bell

Revels in Madness: Insanity in Medicine and Literature by Allen Thiher

tagging @elfpen an anyone else who'd like to participate! give me those fiction recommendations because i anxiety read non-fiction lmao.

#i should make more friends || tag games

[rmhashauthor]

This is the coolest thing about Wattpad, IMO:

Here's the map of The Dragon Prince's Consort readers by country:

And here's the one for STARFISH:

STARFISH has been out longer so naturally it's had the time to gather more steam. But the cool thing to me is that there are people in INDIA reading my book! Not just India of course, but all over.

Back when I was in college (about a thousand years ago apparently), my university hired me as an English and Writing tutor. Before too long I became something of a specialist in working with students whose first language was not English - I guess I had a gift for helping them navigate the nuclear waste trash fire that is the English language (I can legally say this because I have a Bachelor's in it). During that 5-year stint I had the privilege and pleasure of meeting people from all over the world - Thailand, Mexico, Argentina, Spain, Germany, India, Pakistan, South Korea, China, Portugal, Belgium, Kenya, Nigeria, Sweden, you name it - and it's still the best memory I have from my early twenties. Seeing this map now brings back so many good feelings, and seeing it in relation to my own work is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Even though I'm mainly using Wattpad to gauge interest in what I do, stuff like this tells me I must be doing something right.

#writeblr #writers on tumblr #creative writing #authors #author #book blog #romance #booklr #scifi romance #fiction #sci fi romance #alien romance #alien x human #monster romance #teratophillia #original fiction #writing life #wattpad

[howhow326]

African Mythic Creatures pt. 2!!!

Ninki Nanka

Origin: West Africa (Senegal, Gambia, etc)

When a child misbehaves in West Africa, their parent's will tell them that the Ninki Nanka, a dragon like monster, will come to snatch them up if they go into the swamps outside of the house (note: west africa is full of swamps). Of course, it's just a boogie man used to scare parents that disobey their parents... unless...

Ogbanje

Origin: Igbo Tribe (Nigeria)

A woman give birth to normal, healthy child only for the child to die before puberty. And it happens again, and again, and again... and it's the same child everytime. The child is an Ogbanje, a spirit that delights in the pain and suffering of mothers. To that end, the spirit posseses the womb of the mother, and is born into our world as a human child. Unlike human children, the Ogbanje can die at will, shedding its human body to once again become a spirit only to repeat the cycle by possessing the womb of it's mother again. The meaning of the word Ogbanje is "children who come and go". However, there is a way to prevent an Ogbanje child's death. All Ogbanje have an Iyi-uwa, a special stone that serves as a beacon for the ogbanje to return to its mother after death. If the stone is found and destroyed, then the ogbanje child's life will be sparred and it won't reincarnate itself as it's poor mother's child again.

Egbere

Origin: Yoruba tribe (Nigeria)

In the forests of Yorubaland, the evil fairy Egbere can be encountered at night. He is a little man that constantly cries, and carries a small mat. However, if any person can steal Egbere's mat from him, then he will gain unimaginable riches! Additionally, Egbere is also another name for Bush Babies (a small, nocturnal, mammal that lives in Yorubaland), so make of that as you will.

Aziza

Origin: Dahomey people (Country of Benin)

Living in anthills and silk-cotton trees are a race of little people known as Aziza. During the early days of mankind, the Aziza taught people practical (how to start and use fire) and spiritual knowledge (how to communicate with the undergods). They also provide good magic for hunters to use as they travel the forests. Note: the first record of an Aziza with wings was after the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, so be aware of that.

#west african mythology #african mythology #west african folklore #african folklore #blackblr #ninki nanka #ogbanje #egbere #aziza #african fairy

[usafphantom2]

French Mirage 2000 jets can strengthen the Ukrainian Air Force, says commander

Fernando Valduga By Fernando Valduga 01/15/2024 - 12:30 in Military, War Zones

Ukraine will not be able to abandon Soviet aircraft in favor of Westernern ones overnight, and French military jets will be able to coexist on Ukrainian airfields with American and Soviet planes, the head of the Ukrainian Air Force said on Sunday.

Since Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, Kiev has pressured Western allies to provide increasingly sophisticated weapons and ammunition, including armored vehicles, tanks, long-range missiles and U.S.-made F-16 fighters.

The first F-16 jets are expected to arrive in Ukraine at the end of 2024, although their impact on the war may be limited by the power of the Russian air force.

The commander of Ukraine's ground forces said on Friday that Kiev needed more military aircraft for its war effort, such as U.S. A-10 Thunderbolt II attack jets to support the infantry and planes that could fire long-range cruise missiles.

The commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, Mykola Oleshchuk, says that not only the American A-10s, but also the French Dassault Mirages can enter service in Ukraine.

"Therefore, along with the F-16, the MiG-29 will also operate in the sky, and it is possible that the combat capabilities of the Su-24M bombers will be enhanced by the Mirage 2000D, and the Su-25 attack aircraft will be reinforced by the A-10 Thunderbolt II," Oleshchuk said in the Telegram messaging application.

"The priority today, of course, is the F-16, for which Ukrainian pilots are already being trained. However, our experts are also studying other opportunities to increase the combat potential of aviation in general,” Oleshchuk said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in September that he had reached a “very important agreement on the training of our pilots in France” in conversation with President Emmanuel Macron.

He did not detail what training would be carried out. France does not have the F-16 fighters that Denmark and the Netherlands recently promised to Ukraine. It has French-made Rafale warplanes and Mirage 2000 jets of the previous generation.

Source: Reuters

Tags: Armée de l'air - French Air Force/French Air ForceMilitary AviationMirage 2000DWar Zones - Russia/Ukraine

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Fernando Valduga

Fernando Valduga

Aviation photographer and pilot since 1992, he has participated in several events and air operations, such as Cruzex, AirVenture, Dayton Airshow and FIDAE. He has works published in specialized aviation magazines in Brazil and abroad. He uses Canon equipment during his photographic work in the world of aviation.

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[andiessoccerblog]

USA Exit, Quarterfinals

I wish I had made separate blog posts about these, but my travel back to the USA was overwhelmingly nuts and jet lag has hit me hard, so just pretend this is two separate posts.

USA Exit

In Round of 16, team USA was heartbreakingly eliminated by Sweden in penalty kicks. Ironically, it was the best game that the USWNT played the whole tournament, but even their best was not enough to make the difference against Sweden and their keeper Zećira Mušović, who made 11 saves (most in one game in the world cup so far) to keep the scoreline 0-0. The final penalty kick that gave Sweden the win was almost saved by USa keeper Alyssa Naeher, until goal line technology (7 cameras located around the field) determined that the ball had crossed the line with a millimeter to spare. A SINGLE MILLIMETER.

It is the first World Cup ever where the USA did not get a medal. People have a lot of opinions on why. Some people blame the coach, who will probably be fired just based on the result. Other people (idiots) blame the team themselves, saying they focus too much on money and advocacy and not enough on the game. These players have worked their entire lives to be on this stage, and often this is the only chance they get. It is insulting to these players to say that their singular focus is not winning the World Cup. 

As with a lot of things, the real reason is…it’s complicated. The USA did look disorganized and unprepared in the group stage games, and while Coach Vlakto Andonovski definitely does hold some responsibility, his player pool was also affected by major injuries, and he inherited poor long-term planning strategy from US Soccer. After the 2019 World Cup and the 2020 Olympics, there was not enough done to transition the team from relying exclusively on its older players for goal production. Of the 9 scorers for USA at the 2019 World Cup, only 3 of them were starters in the 2023 World Cup, and only one of them (Lindsay Horan) scored a goal. 

As we have also seen this year, this is the World Cup of Chaos. THREE debutantes made it to the knockout stage, while Germany, Brazil, and Canada did not. Teams are better than ever, and can finally challenge the teams that have been considered elite in other years, including the USA. This is a good thing. 

Quarterfinals

Spain v. Netherlands

Spain and Netherlands both faced easier opponents in the round of 16, Spain taking down Switzerland and Netherlands taking down South Africa. Netherlands has played more consistently over the course of the tournament, and although Spain has shown some really good moments, I do think their 4-0 loss to Japan is indicative of problems against high-ranked teams, and so Netherlands will likely win.

Japan v. Sweden

Of all the games, I think this is the quarterfinal game that will produce the winner of the World Cup. Japan has been on fire, and has shown that they can win against teams like Spain and Norway AND make it look easy. Sweden fought for their life against the USA, and won; they can use that momentum against Japan. Their keeper Mušović is finding her rhythm, and will be a bigger challenge to Japan than any other keepers the country has faced. My pick for this game is Japan winning, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Sweden gets the upset.

Australia v. France

France had an easy win against Morocco in the round of 16, scoring three goals in the first 24 minutes, but only one goal in the rest of the game. Similarly, they had an easy win against Panama in the last group stage match, but were held to only 1 goal in the second half. If France continues to have weak second halves, they could struggle against Australia. The host nation pulls massive crowd support at every game, and has put together strong wins against Canada and Denmark. I think that Australia will use their momentum to put together a win against France.

England v. Colombia

This should be the most predictable result. England should dominate. But they went to penalty kicks against Nigeria, and had close games in the group stage. Colombia beat Jamaica in their round of 16 game, and beat Germany in the group stage, but in both games Colombia was struggling, and many people are saying that it is pure luck that Colombia have gotten to this point in the first stage. I tend to agree, and think England will win this.

#woso #uswnt #women's world cup #womens soccer #nwsl #wwc 2023 #world cup #spawnt #spain #nedwnt #netherlands #oranjeleeuwinnen #japwnt #japan #swewnt #sweden #auswnt #australia #frawnt #france #engwnt #england #lionesses #colwnt #colombia

[siyteefe]

Ted Lasso Season 3 Wish List

Okay so here’s a list of all my wishes/predictions/fears for season 3:

I want Sam and Rebecca to be a thing. I do think it’s an HR nightmare for Rebecca to be dating a player, so I don’t know how that can actually happen but I just love them. He’s too young to stop playing and focus on his restaurant, I’d hate for him to leave the team to date her, so idk. Or maybe he gets the call to play for the Nigerian National team and goes away at the end of season 3 to play back home and they do long distance!

I don’t know if it’s implied that Jamie’s mom has passed away, but if not, I want to see Jamie’s mom (and I want him to cry when they’re together) We’ve seen the dad twice, Jamie handled him, I don’t think we need to see him again unless he’s literally being arrested for assault and banned from Wembley for life, so I’d love to meet Mrs. Tartt

Sam’s parents fly out to see him play! I mean, they have to, right? 

In season 1, Ted was an excellent coach; he knew exactly what his players needed to hear and truly united a disjointed group. In season 2, of course we see him take a step back, leaving Nate and Roy to coach for the most part, and they do not have that wise, fatherly touch. I want Coach Lasso back in season 3, solving conflicts, using metaphors and manufacturing scenarios that help people grow, and maybe help Colin come into his own this year (he is a strong and capable man)

Edwin Akufo is coming back and it’s gonna be bad. I’m so scared about what he has planned. I don’t think he needs to team up with Rupert or Nate at all to wreak havoc on Sam’s life or Richmond as a whole and that makes me even more worried. Maybe he buys Cerilium Oil and straight up destroys all of Nigeria (evil overlord billionaire type stuff) 

I don’t want Nate to return to Richmond. He’s entitled and a narcissist and has been since day one when he had no power and it just got worse once he was given power. He thinks he’ll be respected as a head coach for West Ham United, but he’s a mere bargaining chip for Rupert and will be disposed of as soon as the team loses to Richmond. He won’t get the respect he thinks he’s owed because he is a terrible leader and he’ll realize that when he’s fired and no team wants him.

I’d love to see Ted actually show that he’s learned a thing or two about soccer and not still be oblivious to the rules 3 seasons in. Let’s show some growth, come up with a play that’s not American football inspired.

I hope Roy and Keeley find some kind of work-life balance in their relationship and they stay together. I feel like their relationship will be strained or they’ll be “on a break” for the first half of the season and then they’ll find each other again towards the end.

More team shenanigans! More Jan Maas! More Dani Rojas! More Isaac McAdoo! I love all of them

Higgins might be my favorite character, he has the best jokes, he’s the most stable character, I love his wife and family - too cute. I’d love for him to get a storyline, playing on the few heart-to-hearts he’s had with Ted, Keeley, and Jamie. He’s a great husband and a great father so maybe he helps someone in that regard.

Okay so similarly to Ted making a bet with Rupert to con him out of his seats in the owner’s box, I think they’ll place another bet leading up to the final showdown between the two teams or just the final match of the season and if Richmond wins, they get Nate’s contract or Rupert has to resign, idk and if Rupert wins, Ted has to go back to the states or Rebecca has to sign over ownership of Richmond back to him since the club is the real love of his life? 

I kind of want Ted to yell at someone. Could be Rupert, could be Akufo, could be Nate, Could be Jamie’s dad, literally any of the established villains.

I don’t want Ted to end up with Rebecca , or Dr. Fieldstone, and I don’t want him to end up with Sassy. They’re too English for him, he needs someone who thinks his puns are funny and who doesn’t like tea (bare minimum criteria -I know Sharon doesn’t like tea but still, I don’t like the idea of him dating his therapist either). Maybe he finds someone on Bantr and they connect with humor and weird regional colloquialisms <3

#sorry for the long post #ted lasso #ted lasso season 3 #jamie tartt #roy kent #rebecca welton #leslie higgins #sam obisanya #keeley jones

[engl333blog]

final reading roundup

knight: this is just one of those pieces where. you suddenly remember how arbitrary ostensibly non-arbitrary things are? i’ve spoken about this in the discussion boards but it’s like... wait, we made the alphabet up. it’s not some immutable fact of the universe. which is fascinating, because in turn, when we get to collections--it’s easier to remember that the way we collect speaks more about the values of the collector than of the collection’s intrinsic worth.

trettien: THIS IS SO GOOD ON THE HEELS OF THE KNIGHT PAPER. 

“... we might read this move as a deliberate, even protofeminist, media innovation: that is, by applying their domestic skills to “hacking” (cutting, chopping) printed books, the women of Little Gidding carve out a space in which to publish their work in a culture that was otherwise hostile to their participation.”

i spent a bit of time on levi-strauss and derrida’s bricolage last term and thought about it as a means of adaptation: the protagonist of chris abani’s graceland spends his time building western culture into his life in nigeria not just as a livelihood but as a means of self-expression? not only do the little gidding texts apply in the DIY sense of bricolage, and in the collage sense of putting stuff together--but also the almost intertextual nature of what they put together. theophilus as the addressee of luke, but also luke’s preface, and all that--there’s a very pointed reference to be had there, and a certain amount of knowledge needed to parse it

(i actually also think a little bit of the web-weaving trend going around on here. users pick a theme and pop specific texts together. or of blackout poetry/found media)

brylowe: OH hello miranda burgess! (literally cited, very fun.) there’s this... argument to be made, i guess, about prioritizing the constructedness of everything. we think about ideas, or about the actual work of labour, but the paper underneath it seems... always there. it just Is. but in reality, as brylowe calls out, the paper needs to be made: and where that paper comes from is--was--frequently very smart and very cool, but not always savoury. something something spectrality, the secret weird stuff going on in history that makes the surface level social dynamics--like in austen!--possible. there’s a kind of... fantasy of labourlessness that’s at play when we forget about the materials we work with. 

senchyne: there’s a PAPERWORK STUDIES??? also speaking of bricolage...

“A single sheet of paper really was composed of thousands of shreds of cloth collected from all over, and possibly from within one’s own community. Thus it is not unimaginable, if a bit fantastical, to entertain the unlikely possibility of one’s own shirt being comingled with the neighbor’s in the paper one read.”

the paper and what is printed on it being presented as both metaphor for society and integral to the continuance thereof... it’s very much “only YOU can stop forest fires” type rhetoric, the way that contributing to the stock of rags is like, a more serious form of patriotism. which of course in turn sparks the more ideological form of patriotism (which is the talking). where brylowe was calling out the way the labour of paper-making is elided, it’s interesting that here it’s highlighted and turned into something Bigger. 

garibaldi: this is so--it’s a lot to have going on. i’ve spoken somewhat on the boards about like, the role of representation and the slow ascent into the era of sensitivity readers. the discourse is Fraught for sure, and not in a new way either: watching Black authors themselves figure out how to talk about race and racism to children feels a lot like something that might happen now. and it’s like--we see a lot about reading and papermaking as integral to shaping and putting forward ideas like patriotism, and it kind of hammers home how... if something isn’t Out There then it’s so much more of a pain to get it out there? it’s so much harder to think something when you haven’t got anything to build off of (which is how the little things about plantations apparently passed muster like ???????) 

hayles: i’ve made my thoughts known already on the discussion board about embodied reading (!!!) and the work of sorting through text. but all things told, i thought that the “aesthetic of bookishness” was going to be something else. i mean i owned up to this in the judging a book assignment, but i’m not a stranger to the image of being “literary”, leather tomes and all. there’s a weird, hyperspecific clout that i think being “a reader” who “reads for fun” carries (in my circles anyway) especially now that everything’s so digital. it’s something to Choose to Do instead of something that’s just done--too many formats, too many other choices of leisure??? i think to some extent the book might also come to represent--the establishment, i guess. a sanctioned kind of knowledge--an archive of credibility, no matter how inane or ridiculous the actual content it. (i read the hayles before i read the senchyne but this is great with derrida’s paper machine.) i think of julietta singh’s “no archive will restore you” where she kind of talks about the competitiveness of grad school being built on what “archives” you’ve built for yourself--what, exactly, is it that you know? which might be a different kind of bookishness in and of itself. 

#reading thoughts

[rockislandadultreads]

Read-Alike Friday: The Celebrants by Steven Rowley

Dele Weds Destiny by Tomi Obaro

Funmi, Enitan, and Zainab first meet at university in Nigeria and become friends for life despite their differences. Funmi is beautiful, brash, and determined; Enitan is homely and eager, seeking escape from her single mother's smothering and needy love; Zainab is elegant and reserved, raised by her father's first two wives after her mother's death in childbirth. Their friendship is complicated but enduring, and over the course of the novel, the reader learns about their loves and losses. How Funmi stole Zainab's boyfriend and became pregnant, only to have an abortion and lose the boyfriend to police violence. How Enitan was seduced by an American Peace Corps volunteer, the only one who ever really saw her, but is culturally so different from him--a Connecticut WASP--that raising their daughter together put them at odds. How Zainab fell in love with her teacher, a friend of her father's, and ruptured her relationship with her father to have him.

Now, some thirty years later, the three women are reunited for the first time, in Lagos. The occasion: Funmi's daughter, Destiny, is getting married. Enitan brings her American daughter, Remi. Zainab travels by bus, nervously leaving her ailing husband in the care of their son. Funmi, hosting the weekend with her wealthy husband, wants everything to go perfectly. But as the big day approaches, it becomes clear that something is not right. As the novel builds powerfully, the complexities of the mothers' friendship--and the private wisdom each has earned--come to bear on a riveting, heartrending moment of decision. 

The Most Likely Club by Elyssa Friedland

In 1997, grunge is king, Titanic is a blockbuster (and Blockbuster still exists), and Thursday nights are for Friends. In Bellport, Connecticut, four best friends and high school seniors are ready to light the world on fire. Melissa Levin, Priya Chowdury, Tara Taylor, and Suki Hammer are going places. Their yearbook superlatives confirm it: Most Likely to Win the White House, Cure Cancer, Open a Michelin-Starred Restaurant, and Join the Forbes 400.

Fast forward twenty-five years and nothing has gone according to plan as the women regroup at their dreaded high school reunion. When a forgotten classmate emerges at the reunion with a surprising announcement, the friends dig out the yearbook and rethink their younger selves. Is it too late to make their dreams come true? Fueled by nostalgia and one too many drinks, they form a pact to push through their middle-aged angst to bring their teenage aspirations to fruition, dubbing themselves the "Most Likely Girls."

Through the ensuing highs and lows, they are reminded of the enduring bonds of friendship, the ways our childhood dreams both sustain and surprise us -- and why it's deeply uncool to peak in high school.

You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi 

Feyi Adekola wants to learn how to be alive again.

It’s been five years since the accident that killed the love of her life and she’s almost a new person now—an artist with her own studio, and sharing a brownstone apartment with her ride-or-die best friend, Joy, who insists it’s time for Feyi to ease back into the dating scene. Feyi isn’t ready for anything serious, but a steamy encounter at a rooftop party cascades into a whirlwind summer she could have never imagined: a luxury trip to a tropical island, decadent meals in the glamorous home of a celebrity chef, and a major curator who wants to launch her art career.

She’s even started dating the perfect guy, but their new relationship might be sabotaged before it has a chance by the dangerous thrill Feyi feels every time she locks eyes with the one person in the house who is most definitely off-limits. This new life she asked for just got a lot more complicated, and Feyi must begin her search for real answers. Who is she ready to become? Can she release her past and honor her grief while still embracing her future? And, of course, there’s the biggest question of all—how far is she willing to go for a second chance at love?

Late in the Day by Tessa Hadley 

Alexandr and Christine and Zachary and Lydia have been friends since they first met in their twenties. Thirty years later, Alex and Christine are spending a leisurely summer’s evening at home when they receive a call from a distraught Lydia: she is at the hospital. Zach is dead.

In the wake of this profound loss, the three friends find themselves unmoored; all agree that Zach, with his generous, grounded spirit, was the irreplaceable one they couldn’t afford to lose. Inconsolable, Lydia moves in with Alex and Christine. But instead of loss bringing them closer, the three of them find over the following months that it warps their relationships, as old entanglements and grievances rise from the past, and love and sorrow give way to anger and bitterness.

#fiction #literary fiction #readalike #readalikes #Library Books #Book Recommendations #book recs #reading recommendations #Reading Recs #TBR pile #tbr #tbrpile #to read #Want To Read #library blog #book blog #Booklr #book tumblr

[pbandjesse]

I did not need to be as stressed about today as I had been. Today was excellent. I had such a good group. I am tired but I feel happy.

I didn't sleepy amazing. I woke up a lot. But that is okay. I was starving when I got up though. I don't know why I was so hungry but it was distracting.

I got up and got dressed. James was in their bike gear and getting ready for a ride. They made the bed while I was getting ready. And let me know my backpack was still wet. I had attempted to dye my new little backpack also night because the front pocket was brown and I didn't like it. I left it on the fire escape all day to dry and I'm really excited about it. I will probably do some embroidery on it. But I have many other projects happening so we'll see.

I headed to work and stoped fro breakfast. They were obviously in the weeds and I gave them my receipt at the pick up window because they were all confused. I hope it got better.

I was nervous about my day so I was bouncing around a bit. It was Jack's wife Cindy's first day. And we had our new educator Michael as well. I already like Cindy. And Michael seems great. He's from Nigeria and seems really sweet.

It was a busy busy day. I would spend the morning helping Jordan set up and chatting with him about conspiracy theories and work stuff. I did get a little frustrated with a coworker who was just. Not doing what they were supposed to. And was just adding stress for no reason. But whatever.

I continued to be nervous but as soon as the group got here and I brought mine inside they were so lovely? They were so good. We had a kid with a broken foot and so we weren't sure if he was going to be able to go up the stairs but I checked with him and he said he would just like a job that can stay downstairs. So Mr Platt it is. I think he enjoyed it. And all the other kids did too. They were all so smart. I really had the best time. And honestly just doing my shucking station went great and I had a great time.

We had a double overlap today though and that was pretty stressful. Especially with two new people. And so after I got my group out to their scavenger hunt I went back to help reset and get everything handled. Adam was a little confused to see that the tasks were handled. But like we help each other.

The kids really liked that I did prizes and they were real competitive. And once we went through all of the answers I sent them off to lunch.

I went back to the office to read my book for a bit. When all of a sudden Becca and Adam ran into the break room in a panic that Del's cannery was 20 minute late. How is that possible. And of course it wasn't true. They were maybe 2 minutes behind. The other cannery was just a few minutes early. But there was a 5 minutes panic and texting and running around. And it was just like. Guys calm down.

I went to get the kids and took them to the assembly line. And they did a great job. Gaby was great as a second. And they would finish with enough time to check out the car. Which is always my goal. Though we did have a scare when a piece of the moveable wall fell off and I thought it was metal and was going to hit Gaby in the head. But thankfully it was plastic so it only startled us.

While the kids were out checking out the car I chatted with one of them about siblings. And she ended up asking if she could give me a hug and I always love that. What a sweetheart. Once I walked them out I went to the back to start doing supplies. It was a nice hour cleaning oysters and telling stories.

But I was ready to go home. I wasn't tired yet but I knew I would be soon.

When I got home I would fall apart pretty fast. James was on the couch and after I got changed I would join them. They made me a quesadilla and we worked on booking our honeymoon!!

We did our little trip to DC. Our mini-moon. But this will be the big one. We are going in May. And it's going to be a pretty incredible trip. We were between two. But with the budget we have we went with the one that doesn't stop in Montana. We'll do a Montana trip another time. But this one is going to go from Chicago to Seattle, then we take a cruise to Alaska and back to Seattle. With a few stops at different ports. And we were right in budget and the cruise has at least two rainforest excursions and we found at least two places to eat in the different towns. And two different thrift stores because I think it will be funny to buy thrift store stuff while traveling. If we have to mail things homes so be it.

We took a lot of notes. Wrote down a bunch of things. It's really exciting!! And once that was done I was just like. Hey. This was fun. But also now I feel very tired.

I got in bed and just watched videos for a while. But I gave maybe if a time to get up. And would start going through my closet to make some outfits and out some more Halloween and fall stuff away. James went to the store but before they left they started the bread machine for the first time!! They had had a slight panic that the mixing paddle was missing but I had just put it in the drawer so that tragedy was avoided and in a few hours we would have bread!

While they were gone I would put the dishes away and clean out the fridge. And bake my pumpkin seeds. Which smelled great. I was feeling good.

James would get home and finish the staffs for camp. And I would keep working on organizing the closet. Moving seasonal things around. Hanging my layering shirts so that I remember I have them and to wear them so I'm not cold. I kept joking that I was going to pack for our honeymoon now. But Jess and James think 178 days early is to early. Which is fair.

Jamess bread came out so nice. Maybe a little sweet? But it smelled great. And we would basically just rest the rest of the night. Daylights savings is always hard in me and apparently very hard on James too.

But we are still going to try to wake up to see the eclipse. And tomorrow I don't have to be at work until 1. So I get to have a chill morning. I am looking forward to it.

I hope you all have a good night's rest. Sleep well. Take care of yourself!!

[safeguardsfety]

Fire Safety Training for Residential Buildings: Best Practices in Nigeria

Fire Safety Training for Residential Buildings: Best Practices in Nigeria

Fire safety is a critical aspect of residential building management in Nigeria. With the growing urban population and increasing number of residential complexes, ensuring proper fire safety training is essential to protect lives and property. In this article, we'll explore the best practices for fire safety training specifically tailored for residential buildings in Nigeria.

Understanding Fire Risks in Residential Buildings

Before delving into fire safety training, it's crucial to understand the common fire risks in residential buildings fire certification in nigeria. These risks can include faulty electrical wiring, cooking-related fires, flammable materials storage, inadequate fire suppression systems, and lack of emergency exits. By identifying these risks, building managers and residents can proactively address potential fire hazards.

Importance of Fire Certification in Nigeria

Fire certification plays a vital role in ensuring compliance with fire safety standards and regulations in Nigeria. Buildings must obtain fire safety certificates issued by relevant authorities to demonstrate that they meet the necessary safety requirements. This includes having adequate fire suppression equipment, emergency evacuation plans, and trained personnel to handle fire incidents.

Fire Courses Tailored for Residential Buildings

Fire courses tailored for residential buildings in Nigeria focus on equipping building managers, maintenance staff, and residents with the knowledge and skills needed to prevent fires and respond effectively in case of emergencies. These courses cover a range of topics, including fire prevention strategies, use of fire extinguishers, evacuation procedures, and first aid for fire-related injuries.

Role of Fire Training in Port Harcourt

Port Harcourt, being a major urban center  fire courses in nigeria, has specific fire safety training needs for residential buildings. Fire training in Port Harcourt emphasizes local fire safety regulations, building codes, and emergency response protocols relevant to the area. This localized approach ensures that residents and building personnel are prepared to address fire risks specific to Port Harcourt's urban environment.

Fire Safety Drills and Simulation Exercises

Regular fire safety drills and simulation exercises are integral parts of fire training for residential buildings. These drills help familiarize residents and building staff with evacuation routes, assembly points, and emergency procedures. Conducting realistic simulations allows participants to practice their response to fire incidents, improving overall preparedness and response effectiveness.

Importance of Fire Safety Equipment and Maintenance

In addition to training, the presence of adequate fire safety equipment in residential buildings is crucial. This includes fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, fire alarms, sprinkler systems, and emergency lighting. Regular maintenance and testing of these systems ensure their functionality and reliability during fire emergencies.

Collaboration with Local Fire Departments and Authorities

Effective fire safety training for residential buildings involves collaboration with local fire departments and authorities. Building managers and residents should establish communication channels and partnerships with fire professionals to receive guidance, conduct inspections, and coordinate emergency response efforts. This collaboration enhances overall fire safety preparedness and response capabilities.

Community Awareness and Education Initiatives

Community awareness and education initiatives play a significant role in promoting fire safety in residential buildings. These initiatives involve organizing seminars, workshops, and awareness campaigns to educate residents about fire risks, prevention measures, and emergency protocols. Empowering residents with knowledge encourages proactive fire safety practices and fosters a culture of safety within the community.

Continuous Evaluation and Improvement

Fire safety training for residential buildings in Nigeria should be an ongoing process that involves continuous evaluation and improvement. Regular assessments, feedback sessions, and reviews of emergency response drills help identify areas for improvement and implement necessary updates to fire safety plans and procedures.

Conclusion: Ensuring Fire Safety in Residential Buildings

In conclusion, fire safety training tailored for residential buildings  fire training in port harcourt is essential for preventing fire incidents, protecting lives, and minimising property damage. By understanding fire risks, obtaining fire certification, conducting relevant fire courses, and maintaining collaboration with local authorities, residential buildings can enhance their fire safety preparedness and response capabilities. Continuous education, community engagement, and proactive measures contribute to a safer living environment for residents across Nigeria's residential complexes.

#fire certification in nigeria #fire courses in nigeria #fire training in port harcourt

[ippnoida]

Independent publishers dominate Swansea shortlist

The shortlist for the world’s largest and most prestigious literary prize for young writers – the Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize – has been revealed, featuring six emerging voices whose writing plays with formal inventiveness to explore the timeless themes of grief, identity and family.

Comprising of four novels, one short story collection and one poetry collection – with five titles belonging to independent publishers – this year’s international shortlist is:

A Spell of Good Things by Ayòbámi Adébáyò (Canongate Books) – novel (Nigeria)

Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson (Viking, Penguin Random House UK) – novel (UK/Ghana)

The Glutton by AK Blakemore (Granta) – novel (England, UK)

Bright Fear by Mary Jean Chan (Faber & Faber) – poetry collection (Hong Kong)

Local Fires by Joshua Jones (Parthian Books) – short story collection (Wales, UK)

Biography of X by Catherine Lacey (Granta) – novel (US) 

Worth £20,000, this global accolade recognizes exceptional literary talent aged 39 or under, celebrating the international world of fiction in all its forms including poetry, novels, short stories and drama. The prize is named after the Swansea-born writer Dylan Thomas and celebrates his 39 years of creativity and productivity. The prize invokes his memory to support the writers of today, nurture the talents of tomorrow, and celebrate international literary excellence.

Namita Gokhale, chair of Judges, said: “The Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize has an important role to play in recognizing, supporting and nurturing young writers across a rich diversity of locations and genres. The 2024 shortlist has authors from the United States, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Nigeria and Ghana, and it has been a truly rewarding adventure to immersively read through this creative spectrum of voices.”

The only debut on this year’s shortlist is the astonishing new Welsh talent Joshua Jones, who is in the running for his highly acclaimed short story collection Local Fires – a stunning series of multifaceted stories inspired by real people and real events that took place in his hometown of Llanelli, South Wales.

The sole poet in contention this year is Mary Jean Chan – who was previously shortlisted for the Prize with their debut Fleche in 2020 – and is now recognized for the collection Bright Fear, which fearlessly explores themes of identity, multilingualism and postcolonial legacy.

Three of the four novelists have also gained their second nomination for the Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize: British-Ghanaian author Caleb Azumah Nelson is in contention for his second novel, Small Worlds, in which he travels from South London to Ghana and back again over the course of three summers to tell an intimate father-son story exploring the worlds we build for ourselves; Nigerian novelist Ayòbámi Adébáyò is shortlisted for her dazzling story of modern Nigeria, A Spell of Good Things, and two families caught in the riptides of wealth, power, romantic obsession and political corruption; and US author Catherine Lacey is celebrated for the genre-bending Biography of X, a roaring epic and ambitious novel chronicling the life, times and secrets of a notorious artist.

Completing the shortlist is British novelist AK Blakemore, recognized for her darkly exuberant novel The Glutton, which – set to the backdrop of Revolutionary France – is based on the true story of a peasant turned freakshow attraction.

The 2024 shortlist was selected by a judging panel chaired by writer and co-director of the Jaipur Literature Festival, Namita Gokhale, alongside author and lecturer in Creative Writing at Swansea University, Jon Gower, winner of the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature in 2022 and Assistant Professor at Trinity College Dublin, Seán Hewitt, former BBC Gulf Correspondent and author of Telling Tales: An Oral History of Dubai, Julia Wheeler, and interdisciplinary artist and author of Keeping the House, Tice Cin.

The winner of the Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize 2024 will be revealed at a ceremony held in Swansea on 16 May, following International Dylan Thomas Day on 14 May.

Previous winners include Arinze Ifeakandu, Patricia Lockwood, Max Porter, Raven Leilani, Bryan Washington, Guy Gunaratne, and Kayo Chingonyi.

#Dylan Thomas Prize

[jcmarchi]

Optimizing nuclear fuels for next-generation reactors

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/optimizing-nuclear-fuels-for-next-generation-reactors/

Optimizing nuclear fuels for next-generation reactors

In 2010, when Ericmoore Jossou was attending college in northern Nigeria, the lights would flicker in and out all day, sometimes lasting only for a couple of hours at a time. The frustrating experience reaffirmed Jossou’s realization that the country’s sporadic energy supply was a problem. It was the beginning of his path toward nuclear engineering.

Because of the energy crisis, “I told myself I was going to find myself in a career that allows me to develop energy technologies that can easily be scaled to meet the energy needs of the world, including my own country,” says Jossou, an assistant professor in a shared position between the departments of Nuclear Science and Engineering (NSE), where is the John Clark Hardwick (1986) Professor, and of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Today, Jossou uses computer simulations for rational materials design, AI-aided purposeful development of cladding materials and fuels for next-generation nuclear reactors. As one of the shared faculty hires between the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing and departments across MIT, his appointment recognizes his commitment to computing for climate and the environment.

A well-rounded education in Nigeria

Growing up in Lagos, Jossou knew education was about more than just bookish knowledge, so he was eager to travel and experience other cultures. He would start in his own backyard by traveling across the Niger river and enrolling in Ahmadu Bello University in northern Nigeria. Moving from the south was a cultural education with a different language and different foods. It was here that Jossou got to try and love tuwo shinkafa, a northern Nigerian rice-based specialty, for the first time.

After his undergraduate studies, armed with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Jossou was among a small cohort selected for a specialty master’s training program funded by the World Bank Institute and African Development Bank. The program at the African University of Science and Technology in Abuja, Nigeria, is a pan-African venture dedicated to nurturing homegrown science talent on the continent. Visiting professors from around the world taught intensive three-week courses, an experience which felt like drinking from a fire hose. The program widened Jossou’s views and he set his sights on a doctoral program with an emphasis on clean energy systems.

A pivot to nuclear science

While in Nigeria, Jossou learned of Professor Jerzy Szpunar at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada, who was looking for a student researcher to explore fuels and alloys for nuclear reactors. Before then, Jossou was lukewarm on nuclear energy, but the research sounded fascinating. The Fukushima, Japan, incident was recently in the rearview mirror and Jossou remembered his early determination to address his own country’s energy crisis. He was sold on the idea and graduated with a doctoral degree from the University of Saskatchewan on an international dean’s scholarship.

Jossou’s postdoctoral work registered a brief stint at Brookhaven National Laboratory as staff scientist. He leaped at the opportunity to join MIT NSE as a way of realizing his research interest and teaching future engineers. “I would really like to conduct cutting-edge research in nuclear materials design and to pass on my knowledge to the next generation of scientists and engineers and there’s no better place to do that than at MIT,” Jossou says.

Merging material science and computational modeling

Jossou’s doctoral work on designing nuclear fuels for next-generation reactors forms the basis of research his lab is pursuing at MIT NSE. Nuclear reactors that were built in the 1950s and ’60s are getting a makeover in terms of improved accident tolerance. Reactors are not confined to one kind, either: We have micro reactors and are now considering ones using metallic nuclear fuels, Jossou points out. The diversity of options is enough to keep researchers busy testing materials fit for cladding, the lining that prevents corrosion of the fuel and release of radioactive fission products into the surrounding reactor coolant.

The team is also investigating fuels that improve burn-up efficiencies, so they can last longer in the reactor. An intriguing approach has been to immobilize the gas bubbles that arise from the fission process, so they don’t grow and degrade the fuel.

Since joining MIT in July 2023, Jossou is setting up a lab that optimizes the composition of accident-tolerant nuclear fuels. He is leaning on his materials science background and looping computer simulations and artificial intelligence in the mix.

Computer simulations allow the researchers to narrow down the potential field of candidates, optimized for specific parameters, so they can synthesize only the most promising candidates in the lab. And AI’s predictive capabilities guide researchers on which materials composition to consider next. “We no longer depend on serendipity to choose our materials, our lab is based on rational materials design,” Jossou says, “we can rapidly design advanced nuclear fuels.”

Advancing energy causes in Africa

Now that he is at MIT, Jossou admits the view from the outside is different. He now harbors a different perspective on what Africa needs to address some of its challenges. “The starting point to solve our problems is not money; it needs to start with ideas,” he says, “we need to find highly skilled people who can actually solve problems.” That job involves adding economic value to the rich arrays of raw materials that the continent is blessed with. It frustrates Jossou that Niger, a country rich in raw material for uranium, has no nuclear reactors of its own. It ships most of its ore to France. “The path forward is to find a way to refine these materials in Africa and to be able to power the industries on that continent as well,” Jossou says.

Jossou is determined to do his part to eliminate these roadblocks.

Anchored in mentorship, Jossou’s solution aims to train talent from Africa in his own lab. He has applied for a MIT Global Experiences MISTI grant to facilitate travel and research studies for Ghanaian scientists. “The goal is to conduct research in our facility and perhaps add value to indigenous materials,” Jossou says.

Adding value has been a consistent theme of Jossou’s career. He remembers wanting to become a neurosurgeon after reading “Gifted Hands,” moved by the personal story of the author, Ben Carson. As Jossou grew older, however, he realized that becoming a doctor wasn’t necessarily what he wanted. Instead, he was looking to add value. “What I wanted was really to take on a career that allows me to solve a societal problem.” The societal problem of clean and safe energy for all is precisely what Jossou is working on today.

#2023 #Africa #ai #alloys #approach #Arrays #artificial #Artificial Intelligence #background #Brookhaven National Laboratory #bubbles #Canada #career #chemistry #clean energy #climate #college #Composition #computation #computer #Computer modeling #Computer Science #computing #corrosion #courses #cutting #Design #development #diversity #drinking

[hardynwa]

Tacha says Nigerians hate her for just breathing

Controversial reality TV star and media personality, Natacha Anita Akide, popularly known as Tacha, has declared herself the “most hated girl” in Nigeria. Tacha has been under fire following her controversial comments on relationships and marriage in recent episodes of her radio show, The Big Friday Show With Tacha, and the Spill With Phyna podcast. Reacting to the backlash in a video message shared via her X handle, Tacha claimed Nigerians hate her for “just breathing.” She further claimed that she was being hated because she was “outspoken, smart, and can never be brought down.” Tacha said, “I’m Nigeria’s most hated girl, of course, Nigerians hate me for just breathing. I’m Nigeria’s most hated girl, of course, Nigerians hate the fact that I’m outspoken, smart, and can never be brought down even in their dreams.” She added that the more she is hated, the more she wins in life. Read the full article

[mywifeleftme]

183: Freedom Family // Ayentsoo

Ayentsoo Freedom Family 1977, His Master's Voice

Freedom Family were a West African funk/Afrobeat band originally (?) formed in Kumasi, Ghana in the late ‘60s/early ‘70s as the Los Americanas, later known as the Plastic Jims. The future Freedom Family also had a significant run as the Heartbeats ’72, backing Sierra Leonean star Geraldo Pino and performing on Pino’s two excellent LPs Afro Soco Soul Live (1972) and Let’s Have a Party (1978). The eight-piece band lasted until the late ‘70s under the leadership of keyboardist/musical director Chief Kwame Frimpong and lead singer Albert Jones, making their bones playing grueling Dexedrine-fueled six-hour-a-night club residencies in Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Liberia. That grind is of course why West African recordings from the era go so disproportionately hard—you had to be hot to keep the spot you had, smoking to move up, and on fire to find yourself in a studio laying down tracks. Freedom Family’s formative influences were American R&B acts like Sly Stone and James Brown, but in order to survive in the hyper-competitive club scene they mastered highlife and Afrobeat, and their own sound is an impressive fusion of the popular sounds of the day.

Originally released by EMI in the late ‘70s, their sole (?) LP Ayentsoo (Xhosa, trans. They Are Not) was reissued in 2013 as a collab between Brooklyn-based Academy LPs and Germany’s Voodoo Funk (c/f Mary Afi Usuah’s masterpiece Ekpenyong Abasi that I reviewed back in April), and both the pressing and booklet are first class. Voodoo Funk’s Frank Gossner was able to track down singer Albert Jones, and the liners tell the Family’s story as Jones remembers it in the first person. He’s not the most focused, and if he got laid after a show or got a hookup on some funky clothes you’re going to hear about it, but it catches the vibe of being there as part of the scene better than a music historian’s account would. Geraldo Pino in particular is vividly depicted as both an influential talent and a conniving manipulator—according to Jones he even arranged to have the band’s hotel rooms robbed when he caught wind of their plans to ditch him (while his own expensive clothes were merely soaked in water by the apparent wet bandits).

Unfortunately, Jones is a better raconteur than he was a singer, and his unimpressive vocal stylings are probably what held Freedom Family back from becoming true stars. He’s fine on the funkier numbers, where the band’s rhythmic prowess is enough to raise all ships, but on the ballads he’s exposed, his voice flat enough to be actively grating. Fortunately, Ayentsoo mostly sticks to the band’s strengths, and if you’re looking for more grooves from this time and place after you’ve hit the usual suspects, this one has some smokers.

183/365

#freedom family #voodoo funk #geraldo pino #ghanaian music #ghana #west african music #african music #music review #vinyl record #highlife #afro funk #afro beat #funk #'70s music #half done